The Hotel Melrose

Tucked between wine country and canyon country, The Hotel Melrose sits at the heart of Grand Junction, Colorado—where history, art, and adventure meet. Originally built in 1908, the once-neglected hotel had lost much of its original charm when Fort + Home acquired the property. But underneath layers of dust and dated finishes was a rare gem: a Western boarding house with timeless bones and untapped potential.

With a vision to preserve the building’s story while offering a modern guest experience, Fort + Home transformed the property into a stylish, front-desk-free boutique hotel. The Hotel Melrose now serves as a basecamp for travelers and a beloved fixture in the city’s vibrant downtown.

Scope of Work

The project combined historic preservation with a bold reimagining of how a boutique hotel can operate. All guest rooms were redesigned with custom finishes and flexible layouts, while behind-the-scenes upgrades laid the foundation for a seamless digital check-in experience. The addition of Melrose Spirit Co.—a bar inspired by turn-of-the-century saloons with a tropical twist—rounded out the guest experience.

Key upgrades included:

• New HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems throughout

• Restoration of the original lobby tin ceiling and mosaic tile floors

• Custom millwork, design-forward furnishings, and kitchenette installations in all rooms

• Implementation of a contactless concierge model using smart tech

Community Support

From day one, the project was shaped by community input—from collaborating with local craftspeople to commissioning regional art for guest rooms. The hotel’s restoration was also championed by city officials and tourism partners eager to see this historic landmark returned to active use.

Impact

The Hotel Melrose now welcomes guests from around the world while staying rooted in its Western heritage. More than just a hotel, it’s become a symbol of downtown revitalization—an example of how adaptive reuse can breathe new life into forgotten spaces without losing their soul.