Turn-of-the-20th-Century Bed and Breakfast blends traditional charm with modern amenities

When it comes to lodging, count the St. Mary’s Inn among Colorado Springs classics.

Constructed in 1896, this old-world bed and breakfast has roots that run deep into the history of the Pikes Peak region. The land on which the St. Mary’s Inn was built as part of the original platting of Colorado Springs in 1871, drawn up even before Colorado became a state in 1876.

Once a single-family home, the Victorian-era mansion was converted into apartments in response to a housing shortage following World War II. Transformed into the St. Mary’s Inn in 2008, it now features uniquely appointed luxury suites in the heart of the city’s historic district and is easy walking distance to downtown.

Photo: St. Mary’s Inn The St. Mary’s Inn, 530 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo.

Connecting with a commercial lender

With financing from Waypoint Bank – Colorado Springs, high school sweethearts Pam and Jay Piper purchased the St. Mary’s Inn in 2018. After graduating from high school in Sterling, the newly married couple attended Adams State College (University) in Alamosa, where Pam earned her degree in elementary education while Jay earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration.

After graduating from Adams State, Pam started her elementary teaching career while Jay launched his accounting career. But a few decades and two children later, Pam and Jay discovered another calling – as innkeepers.

Photo: Pam and Jay Piper in front of the St. Mary’s Inn in Colorado Springs.

Second careers as innkeepers stewarding an exceptional bed & breakfast

Looking back on their years in college, the couple realized they had developed an affinity for hospitality, built on their shared experiences as dorm directors at Adams State. They also realized they had a banker who could help them set out on a new venture.

Jay’s accounting career led him into real estate investing, including ventures financed by Waypoint Bank. After the Pipers set a goal of buying the St. Mary’s Inn, Jay liquidated his real estate holdings to generate capital. Then Waypoint Bank worked with the Pipers to finance the real estate purchase and the business operation.

Now, as innkeepers/owner-operators, Pam and Jay focus their energies on maintaining the award-winning standard of service excellence at the St. Mary’s Inn. The same standard of service excellence that the Pipers enjoy at Waypoint Bank – Colorado Springs prompts the couple to recommend the bank to others. “Waypoint Bank stands out due to their customer-first, personalized culture,” explains Jay. “Each visit includes being greeted by name and having personal conversations which extend beyond the business reason for the visit.”

 

Photo: Light streams through the window of the 127-year-old Victorian St. Mary’s Inn. 

Cover photo: L-R Becky Akers Colorado Senior Credit Officer, Bob Lucia Colorado Market President, St. Mary’s Inn owner/operators Pam and Jay Piper.