The Bradley, created by the fashion brand’s co-founder Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Provenance, has launched in Fort Wayne with stylish interiors by Dutch East Design.

This glamorous property pairs Midwestern charm with modern design sensibilities – and includes a rotating art gallery in the lobby.

A tribute to Fort Wayne

The new 24-room hotel is aiming to become the epicentre of hospitality in the growing urban centre of Fort Wayne. It’s been created by Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, who co-founded fashion brand Vera Bradley in 1982, and Portland-headquartered hotel company Provenance.

“With the launch of The Bradley, a long-time dream of mine is finally coming to life, and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome everyone to my hometown: the historic city of Fort Wayne,” said Baekgaard. “The Bradley will offer a piece of the rich Fort Wayne community to each guest who calls the hotel home, playing a major role in contributing to the city’s continued growth.

“It is my hope that the hotel will serve as an extension of my own home for a community I love and for those travelling in the city.”

Local art and inspired design

The design concept behind the boutique hotel’s interiors has been drawn up by New-York based firm Dutch East Design. From an inviting lobby lounge distinguished by rich fabrics, wall panels and custom-designed elements to guestrooms inspired by Baekgaard’s sophisticated style with floral headboards and pops of colour, The Bradley certainly stands out from the crowd.

The hotel’s nine suites pay homage to the Hoosier state. Each one is named after a city in Indiana; two of them have been designed by Provenance CEO and president Katherine Durant, with the rest overseen by Baekgaard.

Locally sourced art seen throughout the hotel includes botanical-inspired letterpress prints by Julie Wall of Hedge Studios, while the lobby features a revolving gallery, curated in partnership with Purdue University Fort Wayne Department of Art & Design.

“Art is a part of our DNA at Provenance, and we are proud to be able to showcase the uniqueness of Fort Wayne and the city’s creators through The Bradley’s art installations,” said Durant. “As a Provenance hotel, the property will become a canvas for the city’s exceptional talent, shining a light on the originality and creativity of the local culture that exists and thrives here.”

Vibrant social areas

Amenities throughout the property include the culinary destination Arbor, with a glassed-in private dining area and seasonal outdoor patio. In a space referencing the city’s natural beauty, customers can tuck into modern American fare, which is offered alongside the local Utopian Coffee.

Rooftop bar Birdie’s, meanwhile, takes its name from the nickname that Baekgaard was given by her eldest grandchild for her love of birds. An indoor space with banquette seating and a palette of sienna, terra cotta, deep-sea blues and creams, along with an outdoor terrace, provides the setting for the F&B team to serve up a crowd-pleasing array of casual plates and cocktails.

There are also locally sourced honour bars, pet-friendly amenities and Well + Fit kits, plus an onsite fitness centre. Last but not least, events can be hosted across 2,000 sq ft of space; the hotel’s three meeting rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and an ever-changing selection of artworks.

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