By Kate Bartlett
Recently opening in Summer 2026, The Inn Down Town offers a 13-room boutique hotel experience housed in a converted 19th-century industrial building at 333 State Street, offering stylish, comfortable suites right in the heart of Erie, Pennsylvania. The hotel blends raw architectural elements—like exposed brick, high ceilings, and oversized windows—with contemporary comforts and local artwork and is conveniently located in the heart of downtown.
Co-owner Ben Brazinski was inspired to offer a boutique hotel experience after the acquisition of the Modern Tool Square Building in downtown Erie and the desire to create a unique stay for visitors to discover Erie. “My background is primarily in real estate, property management, and business development, so getting into hospitality was somewhat of a natural extension of the work I was already doing,” explains Ben. “I graduated from Penn State Behrend in 2010 and really enjoyed both the university and Erie during that time. I always knew I wanted to come back to Erie in some fashion. The purchase of the Modern Tool Square building in downtown Erie in 2024 ultimately led my business partners and I to explore what we could do with some of the vacant space inside the building, and The Inn Downtown became an exciting part of that vision two years later.”
Ben’s business partner, Josh Amacher, brings experience in the hospitality industry as owner and operator of a boutique hotel in Elk County, PA. “It has been nice to work with Josh who offers perspective and knowledge on the hospitality side of the business. We work well together and it’s been a great partnership.”
The Inn Downtown opened summer of 2026 as part of Ben and Josh’s efforts to bring new life to the historic Modern Tool Square building. “The inspiration was really to create a boutique hotel that felt different from a traditional chain hotel and that took advantage of the character and history of the building,” explains Ben. “We wanted to preserve the historic elements that make the building special while creating a comfortable, modern place for people to stay. The exposed architectural elements, unique layout, and individual character of the rooms are all part of that vision.”
The Inn Downtown is a 15-room boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Erie. Since it is a historic building, every room and suite has its own character, and the hotel has a very different feel from a typical standardized hotel. Ben describes the atmosphere as comfortable, intimate, and historic, while still providing the modern amenities guests expect. The Inn offers complimentary breakfast, and the hotel is designed around a more independent guest experience, including self-check-in rather than a traditional front desk.
Located on State Street in the heart of downtown Erie, the property is within walking distance of restaurants, bars, entertainment, businesses, and many of the things people come downtown to experience. “Our location is our biggest advantage,” explains Ben. “We really want the hotel to be a home base for people exploring Erie rather than a destination where they simply sleep and leave. Surprisingly, we are currently the only hotel in downtown Erie. Visitors will find that most of the hotels near downtown are actually on the bayfront. We bring something unique to the area that we hope will help continue to revitalize the area.”
Ben and Josh hope that guests leave with a positive impression not only of The Inn Downtown, but of Erie itself. “For many of our guests, this may be their first time visiting Erie. We want them to have a comfortable and memorable stay and to discover some of what makes the city special. Ideally, they leave thinking, “I didn’t realize Erie had this,” and want to come back. Our location next to UPMC Hamot hospital also makes it easy for guests who may be visiting or caring for family members at the hospital. Our courtyard suites are very popular for this reason as they feature a fully equipped kitchen and living room, very similar to an AirBnB, but we are across the street from UPMC.’
Erie has an incredible combination of unique shops, restaurants and activities that visitors don’t often find in one place. “Obviously, the beautiful location and bayfront on Lake Erie is a huge asset, but the area offers much more,” explains Ben. “We have Presque Isle beaches, outdoor recreation, a revitalized downtown with a growing food and entertainment scene, and an interesting collection of historic architecture that make it a destination for all seasons. I think visitors are often pleasantly surprised by how much there is to see and do here.”
Erie is a city rich with history and character, but it also has a tremendous amount of opportunity. “There are still historic buildings and underutilized spaces that can be brought back to life, and there are businesses genuinely invested in doing that, such as Tom Hagan, the EDDC, and the Erie Insurance folks. We’re also proud that the hotel is part of the continued revitalization of downtown Erie. Being able to contribute to that in a small way is very rewarding.”
Since opening, Ben has enjoyed meeting many different people and providing hospitality on their travels. “I love getting immediate feedback, both good and bad. When a guest tells you they loved their room, enjoyed breakfast, or had a great experience in Erie, you know the work that our staff and I are doing is making someone’s trip a little better. Since we opened recently, we are open to criticism too! I am new to hospitality, so any feedback allows me to quickly tweak our business.”
Ben also enjoys seeing people’s reactions to the building and the hotel. “There’s something rewarding about taking a historic space that might otherwise be overlooked and turning it into a place where people want to stay. When a guest tells us they had a great experience, that credit belongs to our hardworking staff who made that experience possible.”
For more information, visit theinndowntown.com, follow on social media or call (814) 217-9070.