The Chamber of Schenectady County honored the Parker Inn for Outstanding Appearance 2002 Award at the 14th Annual Business Awards presentation/dinner on Thursday, January 30, 2003 at the Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia, New York.

The Parker Inn of downtown Schenectady won the award for the rehabilitation of the Parker Building, informally known as the “needle building.” The former office building was rehabilitated/renovated into a 23-room hotel, conference center and upscale bar/lounge. Many of the building’s original features were restored from the 1920’s, including original plaster, ironwork, and marble.

Synthesis restored the exterior, redesigned the interior spaces and selected all interior finishes for the rooms/spaces of the building, including the lobby and bar/lounge. Though the building was mostly devoid of original interior ornament, it boasted several unique design features, including an almost intact castiron facade, an original wrought iron elevator cage, an original cast and wrought iron stairway, and, discovered later, a hidden decorative plaster ceiling (in need of major repair.) Synthesis salvaged these design features, then restored or recreated them where necessary.

The first floor experienced the most dramatic transformation. Approximately 25% of the original plaster molding was restored or recreated where necessary. The wrought iron elevator cage was restored and the floor divided to create a lobby, bar/lounge and to provide code required separation of the fire stairs. The goal was to create a unique building that would draw people to the hotel and lounge and act as a compliment to Proctor’s Theatre and to the City of Schenectady at large. Synthesis worked closely with the owner to create a sophisticated interior design scheme, which would attract and cater to an upscale customer. The building features spacious guest rooms with custom designed furniture and is wired for the information age to provide fast, state-of-the-art connectivity.