Lily Hall Boutique Lodging House

Smith Gee Studio

Lily Hall is a vibrant boutique lodging house in Pensacola, Florida that was once a beloved community Baptist church. The former church, significantly damaged by Hurricane Ivan, was completely transformed into a unique, hospitable oasis influenced by Florida’s Spanish heritage.

While the interior of the historic church had to be demolished, the signature exterior shell remained intact. This led to the creation of a building within a building, and the shell that remained inspired the interior architecture and design.
Fitting the program within the resulting space, while creating a comfortable, welcoming interior, required creative visioning and careful planning. Contending with a stale hospitality industry within areas of Pensacola, the interior design team devised a concept to honor the city’s history and provide a playful, forward-thinking experience for guests.

Through process and branding exercises, the team created a new interior identity and public brand that was relaxed, yet sophisticated. This is evident in the building’s finishes, furniture, signage, and even the decision to add a record player and uniquely curated vinyl records to each guestroom.

Unique touches were curated throughout the property including custom-built shelving in the library, statement wallpaper throughout, and vibrant tile selections that carry over from the interiors to the exterior. Within every nook at Lily Hall, guests are encouraged to dwell in the past through the lens of the present.

This project is widely celebrated by the community due to the new life that has been breathed into this historic site and the neighborhood. Lily Hall serves as a social pillar where family and friends can gather, stay, and dine. It has attracted a younger demographic to the area and has spawned new developments.

Looking back to 1887, Mount Olive Baptist Church was a prominent structure and gathering place in Old East Hill of Pensacola. After its congregation moved out, the church was left largely vacant and in disrepair. Significant damage to the structure caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 prompted efforts by the community and local developers to revitalize the property, including naming it one of seven buildings to save in Pensacola, repairing its collapsed roof, and garnering support to repurpose the site. In 2019, developers decided to convert the old church into a boutique lodging house, today known as Lily Hall.