Place-making | Consulting | Design & Development Strategy

Conservatorio, S.A., American Trade Hotel & Historic Casco Viejo Revitalization

Panama City, Panama

Since 2010 Conservatorio, S.A., has been consulting Scott Mitchem on issues of design, place-making, concept development, hotel and retail development, and public relations. Between 2011 and 2012, Mr. Mitchem advised Conservatorio, S.A., on the selection of a hotel brand/operator for the historic American Trade Hotel — the centerpiece of Panama City’s Casco Viejo district. A request for proposal was sent to several independent operators, boutique concepts, and major brands. Soft-branded marketing groups were also considered.

Ace Hotel (acehotel.com) was chosen, with the hotel maintaining its historic name. The property, already under construction at the time, was designed by Los Angeles–based Commune and managed as American Trade Hotel by Atelier Ace until 2018.

Mr. Mitchem currently provides input on other place-making strategies and major projects under development by Conservatorio, S.A., including the mixed-use Gran Central project and Santa Familia, a waterfront luxury residential project for which he developed the concept and designed the interiors together with Atelier Aline Trindade. Both developments are scheduled for completion in 2022.

Photos courtesy of Conservatorio, S.A., and Scott Mitchem