INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A historic downtown hotel that was once a safe haven for Black travelers is blending its past and present after a multimillion-dollar renovation.

The Omni Severin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis was listed as a safe space to stay in Victor Hugo Green’s The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guidebook for Black travelers during the Jim Crow era.

Over 200 business across the country, such as restaurants, gas stations, and hotels, were listed in the book.

“Only 15% of them remain so we’re pretty excited to represent those businesses who made a commitment to inclusivity and providing a safe place for Black travelers as they came through Indianapolis for business, pleasure, or on their way point to another destination,” said Steve Quackenbush, general manager of the Omni Severin Hotel.

The Green Book was updated annually between 1936 and 1966. Quackenbush says part of what made travellers feel safe was the hotel’s location and neighboring businesses that supported Black entrepreneurs.

“I think it put us in a place culturally with other important businesses downtown like the Slippery Noodle and also Union Station,” Quackenbush said.

Now, after a $24 million renovation, the Omni Severin Hotel offers new rooms, a lobby, and a newly opened café and bar inspired by trains across the street at Union Station. It kept a lot of its original architecture and art deco roots.

The hotel was originally built in 1913.

“When you come in here, you get a real sense of what it was like to be in the height of the travel and luxurious era that the 1920s was,” Quackenbush said.

As one of the last remaining Green Book locations, Quackenbush says he wants guests to not only enjoy their stay, but also understand the importance and history of the space.

“Multiculturalism is very important to us,” Quackenbush said. “We have a very large multicultural contingency here in the hotel. We believe that makes us stronger. What makes us different, makes us stronger.”