The Olive Ann Hotel

The Olive Ann Hotel, inspired by the rich history of UND Aviation and “The First Lady of Aviation,” Olive Ann Beech, has revitalized a once multi-building block devastated by the 1997 flood and fires in Grand Forks, ND. To complete the hotel and event center, the downtown site’s remaining 1915 First National Bank building underwent an extensive renovation and expansion led by JLG and 322 Hospitality Group, building upon its 109 years and 1982 listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The addition, once a surface parking lot, preserved the existing building’s formal façade in terms of scale, massing, and rhythm while mimicking some elements and reinterpreting others using current building materials. Inside, functions like the lobby, event center, and guestrooms were renovated within the existing structure, significantly reducing the overall cost to the project. With JLG’s architectural pre-design and branding, The Olive Ann Hotel opened in December of 2023, welcoming guests into 79 boutique hotel rooms, two dining experiences, a state-of-the-art fitness center, community conference rooms, and a 350-person event and banquet center. Throughout the building, the neo-classical aesthetic ties together the University of North Dakota’s aviation heritage and Olive Ann Beech’s pioneering legacy, including her penchant for art, elegance, and design. The design concept and branding work together to forge an authentic “stay with a story” at the heart of downtown, providing a much-needed upscale hospitality, dining, and events destination that showcases the Greenway and its network of trails.