On New Year’s Eve, 1961, The Penrose Room opened with glitter and fanfare on the top floor of the brand-new South Tower at The Broadmoor (broadmoor.com). Colorado elites gathered for a glamorous gala under a 12-foot chandelier, a replica of one hanging in the Palace of Versailles. Each week, 14 kinds of Mediterranean fish were flown in from Marseille for the bouillabaisse. The interior designers of the time modeled the space in Edwardian design, with gilded candlesticks, Louis XVI armchairs in red velvet, handwoven carpets and eight-foot-tall bronze cupids. “Breathtaking best describes this main dining room of The Penrose Room,” wrote The Rocky Mountain News. The newspaper also described it as “fabulous,” “majestic” and “magnificent.”
The lounge employs a layered material composition that balances refinement with a strong sense of place.
PHOTO BY AMAURY LAPARRA, COURTESY OF TIHANY DESIGN
More than half a century later, The Penrose Room has reopened after an extensive renovation by global interior design firm Tihany Design (tihanydesign.com). The renovation blends historic grandeur with modern elegance, while honoring the spirit of entrepreneurs and philanthropists Spencer and Julie Penrose, who founded The Broadmoor in 1918. “A key challenge was balancing the weight of the room’s legacy with the introduction of a renewed identity,” says Alessia Genova, Tihany Design’s principal.
The renovation spanned a sequence of distinct yet interconnected spaces: a three-room main dining space, a lounge and whiskey room, and a speakeasy called The Polo Club. A defining moment is the passage leading to the speakeasy, which is accessed through a library-style bookcase. “This element draws from Spencer Penrose’s affinity for surprise and theatricality, while reflecting his appreciation for layered, unexpected spatial experiences,” she says. “It’s less about spectacle and more about creating a moment that feels immersive and almost cinematic in its execution.”
Patterned marble flooring at the entry establishes a moment of formality.
PHOTO BY AMAURY LAPARRA, COURTESY OF TIHANY DESIGN
Tihany’s design employs a foundation of warm earth tones—like sun-washed terra cotta, deep tobacco and muted greens—layered with more defined tones of gold, copper and sapphire. “The palette draws from the surrounding Colorado landscape and a more abstract, mineral- driven narrative tied to the Penroses’ legacy,” Genova says. The aesthetic reflects a contemporary interpretation of Western elegance, where craftsmanship, texture and proportion take precedence over ornament. Tihany Design collaborated with skilled Italian artisans and specialized manufacturers to create bespoke furnishings, including leather-upholstered pieces and finely detailed textiles, and used sculptural chandeliers to anchor key spaces.
“A key challenge was balancing the weight of the room’s legacy with the introduction of a renewed identity.” —ALESSIA GENOVA
The bar area pays homage to the Penroses adventurous spirit and global travels.
PHOTO BY AMAURY LAPARRA, COURTESY OF TIHANY DESIGN
The Penroses traveled to 30 countries across the globe, mostly aboard steamships and luxury trains. Those experiences informed their vision for The Broadmoor. The Penrose Room’s modern-day design finds inspiration in that legacy. “The narrative draws from the idea of travel,” Genova says, “through a curated layering of materials, objects and atmospheres that feel collected over time.”
