The Trust Room Bar + Event Space

The Trust Room” is a visionary restoration and redevelopment project led by Ervin Architecture, in the heart of Old Town, Maine. With a rich history of boom and bust, Old Town’s Main Street, once bustling with regional businesses, had fallen into decline. However, thanks to the efforts of forward-thinking local business owner’s and citizens, a revival of the downtown area was underway. Ervin Architecture was entrusted with the task of redeveloping two buildings, including the iconic Eastern Trust Bank building, to continue the restoration and bring new life to Main Street.

The transformation of the Eastern Trust Bank building into “The Trust Room” is a celebration of Old Town’s heritage and a convergence of history and contemporary design. Embracing the concept of a “speakeasy” with a modern twist, Ervin Architecture unearthed the building’s original character, restoring elements such as palladium windows, plasterwork, and brickwork. The design revolves around creating a unique and vibrant ambiance, with bright colors and matte finishes setting the stage for the interplay of natural light through large street-level windows. Careful consideration was given to accommodating essential programmatic elements, seamlessly incorporating a new entry vestibule, handicap access, a secret speakeasy door, a full Tobin Ellis bar, and more.

Additionally, an opportunity to convert an historic walk-in vault into a temperature-controlled wine cuvee with custom reclaimed mahogany cabinetry added to the allure of the space. The Trust Room stands as a testament to the successful revival of Main Street and a splendid blend of history, culture, and contemporary flair.