photo by: Dylan Lysen

The Eldridge Hotel renovated its restaurant with a new sleek design that also incorporates the hotel's history.

It may have taken longer than expected, but the Eldridge Hotel will soon be reopening its restaurant and bar with a new, sleek design concept.

Nancy Longhurst, general manager, said the hotel’s bar and restaurant will officially reopen Friday.

Longhurst acknowledged the restaurant and bar had been closed for a significant amount of time. The hotel closed it in March for the renovation.

However, she said she hopes when people see the redesign, they will understand the lengthy closure.

photo by: Dylan Lysen

The Eldridge Hotel redesigned its bar and restaurant on the first floor of the historic building. General Manager Nancy Longhurst said they will officially reopen on Friday.

Although the design is sleek and new, the hotel incorporated historic pieces into the mix, including the original crown molding of the ceiling and the original light fixtures throughout the restaurant and bar areas.

Also included is the original flooring of the restaurant, which was previously covered by carpet.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” Longhurst said of the restored lights, crown molding and flooring. “We restored it to the original (look).”

In the lobby, the hotel placed high-back chairs that would have been similar those used in the lobby during the 1920s. She said the lobby furniture has also been placed in clusters to allow more private lounging for guests.

Longhurst explained the importance of getting the right design, noting the historic hotel is “an absolute jewel.”

“This building’s architecture is so unique,” she said. “We wanted to do everything we could do restore it back to its original, but you have to keep in mind to keep things current and upscale. I think we did a good job blending those two together.”

photo by: Dylan Lysen

In the All-American Room, the Eldridge Hotel installed digital displays to show the images of former KU All-American athletes. The new displays helped cut down the clutter of images throughout the room.

The All-American Room, a secondary bar and lounge area just south of the restaurant, saw several changes as well.

Previously, the room, which includes a smaller bar with upscale liquors, was decorated with black-and-white photos of All-American athletes at the University of Kansas. Now the photos are on a digital display to make the room look less cluttered.

The hotel also restored the bathrooms and completely renovated the kitchen with new equipment.

photo by: Dylan Lysen

The Jayhawker Bar in the Eldridge Hotel kept its name and its martini night specials, but will have a new sleek design when it reopens Friday.

With the new design, the bar will continue to be known as the Jayhawker Bar. Don’t worry, Longhurst said — the bar’s martini night specials will continue after the reopening.

But the restaurant, formerly known as Ten Restaurant, will change to the Eldridge House Grille. The new restaurant will also include a new homestyle menu, Longhurst said.

“It’s a totally new concept for food,” she said of the menu.

Food and Beverage Director Jake Crane, who created the menu, describes it as a melting pot of comfort food.