Back in June, we reported that the Red Vic Bed & Breakfast was being leased out and going under renovation, with a revamped hotel and gathering space on the way. Now, it looks like there's been some progress, as the third floor rooms have reopened and work is well underway on the ground floor.
If you've walked by recently, you may have noticed that the ground floor is still mid-makeover, with various pieces of furniture and power tools strewn about. According to the new project's blog, new wood flooring has been installed and the space's half partition walls and old cafe bar have been removed for a more open and airy feel. A "homey living room vibe" is on the way for the ground floor, which is billed as a large community space that "provides ample space for projects and collaborations."
Interior photos via Red Vic
Though the ground floor space is still a work in progress, the upstairs floors are basically completed, with rooms now available for booking starting at $65 per night and going up to $185. The names of the rooms have been carried over from the Red Vic's previous incarnation, with the "Peace Room," "Flower Child Room," and "Summer of Love Room" all present and accounted for.
Interestingly, some of the rooms sleep multiple people. The "Peacock Room", a two-room suite, holds up to eight and includes a sink, half-bath, faux-fireplace and some casual seating. The "Poster Room," pictured below, has two sets of bunk beds, or four total beds.
Here's another look at how the upstairs rooms are shaping up:
As previously noted, the new project comes from Jessy Kate Schingler, a founding member of a communal living space called the Embassy Network. The new Red Vic's description confirms that the project will follow the Embassy's philosophy. "Like other Embassy Network locations we seek to host creatives and modern nomads traveling frequently for work and collaborations."
A card that bills that space as a "cultural experiment combining the concept of coliving with the resources, scale and public visibility of a hotel" has been being circulated around the neighborhood as a way to introduce nearby businesses to the Red Vic's new model:
Interestingly, the Red Vic has also announced a collaboration with Irrational Labs "to explore in-situ, data driven research about social behavior and incentives." The partnership with the company, which is described as a non-profit aimed at "bringing behavioral economics to high impact organizations," will go a little something like this:
"The Red Vic will work with Irrational Labs to provide academics and the curious access to an in-situ social environment in which to conduct data driven research. In partnership with community sponsors, the Red Vic will provide a physical platform to gather data and observations in order to study structures for participation, happiness, and productivity."
Not sure what all that means? Neither are we, but we'll keep you posted as plans for the ground floor's social club, and its in-situ social environment, move along.
