place-inspired hotel

Waldoboro Inn

Waldoboro, Maine

Historic Renovation | Community Development

The Waldoboro Inn is more than a boutique hotel in restored a 140-year old building, it’s the hub of a community.

historic preservation

In the small town of Waldoboro, Maine, a new hotel in an old ship captain’s mansion is bringing together both visitors and community members.

The project includes the following components:

Historic preservation of an 1880 Italianate mansion in Waldoboro’s quaint downtown
Adaptive reuse as a boutique hotel
Community gathering space with pop-up food and art events

Overview

Located in the heart of Waldoboro, Maine, the 1880 Italianate mansion had long stood as a piece of local history. When Latitude’s Nathan Reimer partnered with creative Alexa Stark, they saw the opportunity to breathe new life into the building by transforming it into a boutique inn and wine bar.

To become operational, a large renovation was needed, which included updating the roof, bathrooms, and installing energy-efficient heat pumps, all while preserving the mansion’s historic character. Working closely with local builders and artisans, the project combined modern comforts with sustainable practices. The result is the Waldoboro Inn, a thoughtfully restored property that blends artistic flare with historical charm.

What makes the hotel unique, however, is that it isn’t just about a place for visitors to come sleep. The DNA of the hotel is to serve the community.

“We wanted to create a hub where a visitor could enjoy food and wine at the bar while connecting with a local lobsterman next to them,” Nathan says. “My partner Alexa is from Waldboro and demonstrates how to bring together community-based programming that revitalizes the spirit of a place, while giving guests an authentic experience that is rooted in place.”

The Inn is currently undergoing renovations to add more guest rooms, and wellness offerings including sauna, massage, and acupuncture.

Looking for your next vacation? Book a stay directly through the Waldoboro Inn’s website.

Historic Preservation

Historic preservation is often regarded as the most sustainable form of building because it maximizes the use of existing resources while minimizing waste and the environmental impact associated with new construction.

By restoring and repurposing this 140-year old mansion, embodied energy already stored in materials like brick, wood, and stone, was preserved and diverted away from the landfill. This process reduced the demand for new raw materials and cut down on carbon emissions from manufacturing and transportation.

Moreover, in preserving this architectural treasure, cultural heritage was safeguarded in a way that celebrates and benefits the local community.

Land Acknowledgement

The Waldoboro Inn is located on the homeland of the Wabanaki, The People of the First Light, including the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, Abenaki, and Mi’kmaq Nations. The Inn’ land is part of the broader territory Waponahkik, now known as Maine, that was never ceded.

Throughout history, this region has been the homeland of the Abenaki Tribe and other tribal peoples of the Midcoast. Generations of Indigenous relationships with the land and waterways have been woven into this landscape and continue to this day.