Street Style: Meet Phillip Blane
When I asked Katelin Moomau for a male Street Style nominee – because she knows everyone in Alexandria – Phillip Blane was at the top of her list. When I met him at a Visit Alexandria event and shared the news, he was sincerely flattered. And I soon joined a group who was eagerly anticipating the opening of Hotel Heron.
I’m not exaggerating when I say, the Opening Night Party at Heron in June was the most fun I’ve had since moving to Alexandria eight years ago. There was no detail left untouched and it was a vibrant, lively crowd bringing new energy to Old Town. Phillip, General Manager, was one of the main orchestrators as was Harry Francis, Director of Lifestyle. These two have brought a Batman and Robin vibe to local hospitality, but really, they’re just good guys pumped about opening a new hotel, and it’s contagious.
I recently caught up with Phillip to get an update and see if he ever plans on taking a day off. An entrepreneur at heart, it’s extremely important for him to feel tied to the community. “I was a fixture in Georgetown and most of my clients were locals. I’m hoping that also happens at Heron. I see it already starting to take shape: staycations, repeat guests, families visiting, high school reunions. We want to have deep ties with the community and are doing that with lifestyle programming (Harry’s camp), and with the restaurants, so that people feel the hotel is once again connected to Old Town.”
He shares that the original building was built in 1926 and opened as the George Mason Hotel. It was the social hub of its day and lived its life for decades. When it closed it became an office building. Phillip shares, “I was driving home from The Lorien one night and saw that the building had been boarded up. Suddenly there were signs out front with ‘Aparium’. I did a little Google search and saw this was going to be a new hotel. I was eager to do things, to be part of a new opening…and be connected to the community. I felt this opportunity with local ownership groups could be a great fit.” He joined the team less than a year ago.
Phillip Blane
Photography: Renée C. Gage Photography
Styled by: Trousers: Todd Snyder; Shirt: Banana Republic; Blazer: Sunspel; Socks: Paul Smith; Shoes: Doc Marten
Hair: Greg Colon, Industry 10
Shoot location: Hotel Heron
“There’s always been an eagerness to get it open, to share it. But to do it right, it takes time.” He speaks of “adaptive reuse” and taking into consideration the care for the building and the quality of the craftsmanship. Seeing it all up close and in daylight, there isn’t an inch that was overlooked.
Although Hotel Heron is open 24 hours a day, Phillip is finally down to being there just six days a week. “I have a fantastic group managing their departments and I’m here to help and assist.”
DJs currently spin up on the Good Fortune rooftop Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 11pm with a Haute Dogs popup and goodies from Sweetgreen Bakery. Heron also has artist collabs with Cultural DC and other community-based organizations, including yoga on the rooftop. While we’re sitting, Yuki from Radiance Yoga walks in (to meet with Harry), and Phillip smiles at her, “Wow…I was just talking about you.” That’s Old Town for you.
Phillip has an edge and when he shares he was born in Manhattan and lived there until high school, I’m not surprised. He later moved to London with his dad when he remarried (his mother also remarried and lives in Florida). “I have a huge English family…though I never picked up the British accent.” Nope.
He returned for college, and received a degree in public policy at Syracuse, and then his masters in healthcare administration at the University of Memphis.” Seeing the question on my face, he shares, “I was in D.C. figuring out my next move and the program at Memphis was the same as the program at GW – and a third the cost.”
He later managed an assisted living facility. “It’s the same as hospitality except people stay longer and leave differently,” he says with zero irony. On that note, he is a proponent of long term care insurance, “everyone should have it,” and a move toward multi-generation housing.
Living in Memphis “when Y2K crazy struck,” he decided to delve into what he was really passionate about: cooking and food. He went into the restaurant industry and later opened up a little hotel on the Eastern shore of Virginia, The Charlotte Hotel and Restaurant. “I was there for three and a half years. In 2007, I moved back to D.C. and was a sous chef at Equinox over by the White House for three years until my son was born in 2009.”
After Jacob was born, Phillip became the chef and owner of Unum Restaurant in Georgetown. He sold it seven years later and says, “I was floundering around a bit, doing odd jobs and consulting. I was the GM at the Kimpton Glover Park Hotel…and stayed with Kimpton in D.C., and then in Baltimore and then moved to The Lorien, before joining the Aparium Group.”
He found the common link between healthcare and restaurants: hospitality. And all these roads and turns led him here, becoming General Manager of Hotel Heron in 2023. “Years ago, I swapped nursing for lifestyle…and the level of food and service changes for the audience.”
Looking to “use a different side of the brain,” he recently started taking piano lessons at Opal Music Studio. Jacob, now 14, also keeps him active. “He’s returning from camp in upper Maine. He did a hard hat tour of the hotel and I want him to come for dinner soon.” That would be at KILN, their signature restaurant, described as hearth-inspired, mid-Atlantic cuisine. It’s also on my must-try list.
What’s coming down the pike? “The opening of Francis Hall,” Heron’s intimate cocktail lounge. “It’s not hidden, but special…it will open in the fall.” They will also open hotel rooms in the adjacent building (42 more) and they’re actively working on a concert series with local bands (coming very soon), and later in the fall – Oktoberfest in the alley.”
When I ask him what he loves about Old Town, Phillip shares, “It's historic significance. We’re surrounded by history, American history – not political history. In England, the local pub is part of your community, you walk in and you know people. I want that here. I love the walkability of Old Town, the character in the architecture. Sometimes I close my eyes and can almost hear the hooves clanking from horse-drawn carriages.”
He continues, “It’s adjacent to DC…two halves of a whole. Having lived in London, D.C. and New York, I love being pedestrian. There are big name stores, but the independent shops are present throughout and amazing. There’s Nasime and Kismet, and fun bars like Old Hat across from Tatte. And I have a barber here – Greg at Industry Ten. “When we first met, he said, ‘Let me trim your beard, you’ll look so much better.’ I’m thinking, did I look that bad before?” Phillip runs his hand across his face, he seems pleased. Nice work, Greg.
Check out Phillip’s Street Style (and his beard):
ABOUT PHILLIP
Neighborhood: Live in D.C., but my favorite place is Old Town and I’m not just saying that – it really is.
Hometown: New York, NY
What would surprise people about you? I was a chef/owner of Unum Restaurant in Georgetown, DC from 2011-2017.
Favorite book: Too many to choose for a favorite, but I love historical fiction.
Guilty Pleasure: Chinese takeout – lots of it. Like way too much at once.
Latest binge-watch: The most recent Talented Mr. Ripley – the one shot in black and white.
Bucket list travel destination: I’d like to visit both Dakotas, Hawaii, Alaska and Indiana—then I’ve been to all 50 states. For foreign travel: India, Iceland, New Zealand.
STYLE
Define your style in three words or less: Comfort meets style.
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Dark denim jeans from COS.
Favorite trend: T-shirts under blazers.
Beauty product you can’t live without: Toothpaste
Boots, sneakers, or sandals? All the above – just at different times obviously.
WELLNESS
Go-to way to de-stress: Exercise that gets my heart rate up.
Most fun way to stay active: Walking my dog.
Wellness goal: Lose another 10-15.
Want to try: Sensory deprivation chambers. One opened in Alexandria I want to check out.
Proudest wellness achievement: Not a single cavity/filling.
HOME
Favorite room in your home: Living room – lots of light, lots of plants.
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix.
Last item bought for your home: New door mat, the old one was pretty ratty.
Favorite way to entertain: Weekend lunch party – I need to go to bed early.
Clutter-free or well-lived in? Clutter-free.
Next planned purchase: A new couch.
ALEXANDRIA
What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? Alexandrians have such diversity of style that most people don’t know.
Favorite spot in Alexandria: Besides Good Fortune, Waterfront Park.
Best food spot: Besides KILN, Andy’s Pizza.
Favorite local organizations: Campagna Center, Volunteers of America, ACT for Alexandria.
Annual Alexandria event you most look forward to: Portside Festival.
