Americus Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Americus Hotel
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Americus Hotel, October 2011
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 541 West Hamilton Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1926–1927 |
| Built by | Roberts & Roller |
| Architect | Ritter & Shay |
| Architectural style | Italo-Iberian |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003454 |
| Added to NRHP | August 23, 1984 |
The Americus Hotel is a historic hotel located in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was built between 1926 and 1927. This impressive building is 13 stories tall and made of yellow brick. After a period of being closed, the hotel re-opened in the fall of 2016.
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About the Americus Hotel
The Americus Hotel is a classic example of a 1920s-style hotel. It was built by a group of Allentown business leaders. They wanted a top-notch hotel in the city's main business area. Their goal was to create a public place that offered excellent service and the newest technology.
A Look Back: The Hotel's History
The spot where the Americus Hotel stands has been used for hotels since 1810. Back then, Allentown was called Northampton and had about 700 people. Abraham Gangawere built a two-story tavern there first. Later, it became the Northampton Inn and was made bigger. In 1837, President Martin Van Buren even stayed there!
This inn was also the main stop for a stagecoach line. By the time of World War I, it was known as the American Hotel. It had grown to five stories. The hotel was famous for its great food and was popular with traveling salespeople and visitors.
Building a New Dream
Over time, the old hotel became run-down. In 1924, a man named Aaron Potruch bought the land. He tore down the old hotel, planning to build an office building. But then, Albert D. Gomery, a local businessman, suggested building a new hotel instead. At first, the idea of a new hotel was a joke in town because many had been planned but never built.
Albert Gomery was the president of Allentown's Chamber of Commerce in 1925. He was a successful businessman who had built a large company with his brother. He also owned the College Hotel. Gomery was determined to make this new hotel happen. He gathered other important businessmen, including his brother and a bank cashier, Frank Cressman. Together, they formed the American Hotel Realty Co.
They held a contest for architects, and the Philadelphia firm of Ritter and Shay won. Their first plan was for a hotel with 270 bedrooms. Gomery thought the building costs were too high. After more talks, they agreed to add two more floors, making it 324 bedrooms. This likely added more affordable rooms for business travelers.
In June 1926, the building contract went to Roberts and Roller from Philadelphia. Work on the new building began on July 17, 1926. The strong steel frame of the Americus quickly rose into the sky. Its design, with buff-colored bricks and curved arches, looked like the exotic buildings of old Spain. Construction moved quickly, even with some problems like foundation issues and high material costs. Gomery watched over every detail, even hiring an artist to paint large murals for the hotel.
The Golden Era of the Americus
The Americus Hotel opened its doors on September 13, 1927, just three days behind schedule. Newspapers described the hotel's sunny lounge with its large windows. Light bounced off the colorful tiles onto comfy sofas and chairs. A painting of a Spanish dancer added to the lively feel. The kitchen, with its staff of 22, was ready to serve amazing meals. The Swiss chef and the head waiter, who had worked together before, promised food that was "second to none."
Visitors felt a "changed atmosphere" as soon as they entered. The polished walnut furniture, marble floors, colorful murals, and fancy chandeliers made guests feel like they were in "old Spain."
The official opening party was held on the evening of September 13th. Over 700 guests, many in fancy tuxedos and evening gowns, arrived. They took tours of the hotel, enjoying the beautiful flower displays. A 28-piece orchestra played music as guests gathered in the dining room. Outside, on North 6th Street, small shops like tailor shops and watch repair stores rented space in the hotel building.
For the next 40 years, the Americus Hotel was a very important part of downtown Allentown. Many famous people stayed there. The hotel's ballroom often hosted parties, dances, and high school graduation proms.
Challenges and Decline
In the late 1970s, downtown Allentown began to change and decline. The hotel's success also started to fade. On August 23, 1984, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This helped protect its historical look.
In 1985, a new owner, Mark Mendelson, bought the hotel. He invested a lot of money in renovations. The dining room and ballrooms especially looked much better. Preservation groups even gave him awards. In 1988, the hotel joined the Radisson Hotel chain, which helped its image.
However, over time, the hotel faced many financial problems. By 1994, the Americus lost its connection with Radisson because of unpaid bills. It faced many debts and was almost sold. Mendelson managed to keep it, but the hotel continued to struggle. It briefly joined the Clarion chain in 1995, but that ended by 1998.
The hotel's condition got worse. Elevators broke, pipes leaked, and garbage piled up. City inspectors had to take away the hotel's health license. In August 2002, after fires, broken pipes, and more elevator problems, the city made everyone leave the hotel.
For several years, the hotel stood empty and in bad shape. Legal issues continued, and bills for taxes and utilities grew very large. Scaffolding was put up outside to stop falling bricks from hurting people. Nearby shops had to close. In 2005, the city cut off utilities, and in 2007, the building was sealed to keep people out. In 2009, the hotel's owner declared bankruptcy, and the City of Allentown took ownership.
A New Beginning: Redevelopment
In 2009, a local businessman named Albert Abdouche bought the hotel from the City for $676,000. He announced plans to fix it up. The inside of the hotel was a mess, with trash everywhere and broken wiring. Abdouche spent $3.2 million to buy the property and began improvements in February 2010. Over the next few years, the outside of the building was repaired, and a lot of work was done inside.
In 2014, the project received approval for $13.2 million in tax money to help with the redevelopment. The plans included 85 hotel rooms, 48 apartments, 10 retail shops, office space, and restaurants, including a street-level sports bar. Abdouche agreed to have the project reviewed independently to make sure his cost estimates were correct. He also had to provide a bond, which meant if costs went higher than planned, the city could find another developer to finish the project. This new beginning brought hope for the historic Americus Hotel.
Images for kids
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Americus Hotel, October 2011
