The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado – forever etched in horror history as the place that sparked Stephen King’s imagination for The Shining – is entering a new chapter of its own. A major expansion is underway that will see the creation of the Stanley Exhibit Center, a $60 million arts and culture space, with a special focus on horror cinema.

The new centre, developed in partnership with acclaimed production company Blumhouse, will dedicate 10,000 square feet to exhibitions that celebrate the genre. From Get Out and Paranormal Activity to The Purge and M3GAN, Blumhouse will curate installations and displays drawn from its extensive film, television and gaming catalogue. 

Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse, commented: “Horror fans are the best fans in the world, and they deserve a world-class, must-visit destination. And horror itself deserves a rightful place at the centre of culture.”

A hotel that became a horror legend

The Stanley Hotel has long attracted visitors intrigued by its place in cinematic and literary lore. While the snowbound exterior of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining was famously the Timberline Lodge in Oregon, and the eerie interiors were recreated on sound stages at Elstree Studios in the UK (inspired in part by Yosemite’s Ahwahnee Hotel), the origins of King’s novel lie firmly in Estes Park.

In 1974, King and his wife Tabitha stayed overnight in Room 217 at The Stanley, just as the hotel was preparing to close for the season. King later recalled a vivid dream of his young son running terrified down its endless corridors – a vision that provided the “bones” of the story we now know as The Shining. The novel would go on to change the course of horror fiction and film, even though Kubrick’s cinematic interpretation diverged in significant ways.

The Stanley itself has leaned into its role as muse, drawing legions of horror enthusiasts to its remote mountain setting. The hotel requested Kubrick change King’s notorious Room 217 to Room 237 in the film, to avoid deterring real guests.

Carpets and corridors

One of the reasons The Shining has such a powerful grip on design lovers is its unforgettable interiors. Chief among them is, of course, the Hicks Hexagon carpet – the burnt orange, brown and red geometric design that rolls endlessly through the Overlook’s corridors. Few patterns in cinema have been so instantly recognisable, or so closely bound to the dread and disorientation of a film.

Although details of the Stanley Exhibit Center interiors have not yet been released, one can’t help but wonder if that famous hexagonal design will make an appearance. It would certainly be a fitting nod to the hotel’s cinematic legacy.

At Film and Furniture we’ve long explored the legacy of The Shining’s carpets – from the Hicks Hexagon to purple and green curved Room 237 carpet pattern. and the distinctive gold and brown design of the Gold Room carpet. Each tells its own story, and each has been recreated in authentic handtufted wool versions available through our store for those who want to bring a piece of Stanley Kubrick’s unsettling aesthetic into their own homes.

Looking forward

The Stanley Exhibit Center is part of a wider three-year plan to preserve and expand the hotel campus. Colorado governor Jared Polis hailed the project, saying it would “continue to drive horror film buffs from across the world to the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park, supporting our growing film workforce and economy.”

This isn’t the first time The Stanley has opened its doors to immersive film experiences: last year, guests could book into rooms themed around Blumhouse titles including Insidious and The Purge. The new cultural hub, however, promises to create a permanent home where horror – as both entertainment and artform – takes centre stage.

For fans of King, Kubrick, and the enduring allure of haunted hotels, The Stanley’s latest evolution ensures that the corridors which once haunted the writer’s imagination will continue to inspire new nightmares – and celebrations of the genre – for generations to come.