Renderings courtesy of Pickard Design Studio
Now, a decade later, Hotel Indigo, part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio, is preparing for its next act. A sweeping renovation led by Pickard Design Studio will update the interiors while deepening the hotel’s connection to the East End’s past and present.
As reported by Hospitality Design, the refresh will introduce custom casegoods, lacquered finishes, and upholstered furnishings. Hallway details like license plate-inspired signage and speedometer-patterned carpets will pay tribute to East Liberty’s early-20th-century role as “Automobile Row.” At the same time, the design will also honor our area’s Indigenous roots, incorporating Native American influences and Shawnee motifs into art, textiles, and decorative accents.
Public spaces, including the foyer, lounge, study, and meeting rooms, will be transformed through layered textures, rich patterns, and jewel-toned palettes inspired by Pittsburgh’s historic rowhouses, cathedrals, and landmarks.
We sat down with Hotel Indigo General Manager Mayela Garcia to learn more about the redesign and what it means for the community.
Tell us about the inspiration behind the redesign, especially the historical influences and connection to East Liberty.
From the start, it was important for us to root the design in the unique history and cultural fabric of both Pittsburgh and East Liberty. Hospitality design is most meaningful when it reflects the community, not just visually but also emotionally and historically.
For East Liberty, we were inspired by its evolution: from a booming commercial district in the early 1900s to its mid-century heyday to its current renaissance as a center for innovation, arts, and diversity. Today, when you walk around the neighborhood, it’s colorful, creative, and full of life. We wanted our interiors to mirror that same energy and depth.
Architectural landmarks like the East Liberty Presbyterian Church inspired some of the vertical lines and lighting features we’ll be incorporating. And of course, we referenced the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, which continues to be a cornerstone of Black cultural life in the neighborhood.
Ultimately, though, we wanted the space to feel authentic and welcoming—for travelers and also for local residents who will recognize the story being told. Our design team at Pickard and our IHG brand representative worked closely to ensure that neighborhood history is reflected at every turn. Our goal is that when you come and stay at Hotel Indigo, you walk out knowing something new about East Liberty and Pittsburgh.
What stage is the redesign at now?
We’re currently finalizing the design plans and building out our model room. That part is really exciting—it’s where the vision becomes tangible. We’re aiming to complete the model room in the next month or so, and then we’ll start inviting members of the community to come take a look. This is important because it helps us work out the practical details. You might fall in love with a dresser online, for example, but once it’s installed, you might realize it’s too close to the bed and difficult to maneuver around. Those kinds of real-world observations help us refine every inch of the guest experience.
What role does Hotel Indigo see itself playing in the neighborhood’s ecosystem? What are your hopes for the hotel’s role in East Liberty five years from now?
I want Hotel Indigo to be seen not just as a place to stay but as an active participant in the neighborhood’s ongoing economic growth. As a brand, we’re all about reflecting the soul of the neighborhood that we’re in, and it’s important for us to contribute to the local community.
That starts with us hiring local talent and partnering with neighborhood businesses, artists and makers, whether that’s through locally sourced ingredients in our food and drinks or showcasing local art in our spaces.
Five years from now, I hope we’re seen as more than a hotel, as a neighborhood hub—supporting local entrepreneurship, hosting cultural programming, and helping connect visitors and residents in meaningful ways. I want people to walk through our doors and feel like they belong. That’s the vision we’re working towards.