Brown Palace Hotel (Denver) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection
|
|
The Brown Palace Hotel, with the 1959 annex tower visible behind it on the left
|
|
 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 17th St. and Tremont Pl., Denver, Colorado |
|---|---|
| Area | 9.5 acres (3.8 ha) |
| Built | 1892 |
| Architect | Frank Edbrooke Giddes & Seerie, builder |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000157 |
| Added to NRHP | April 28, 1970 |
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection is a very old and famous hotel in Denver, Colorado, United States. It is listed as a historic place, meaning it is important to the country's history. It is also the second-longest operating hotel in Denver.
This hotel was one of the first ever built with a special open space inside called an "atrium." Today, it is managed by HEI Hotels and Resorts. In 2012, it joined Marriott's Autograph Collection Hotels. You can find the hotel in downtown Denver at 321 17th Street.
Contents
A Look Back: The Brown Palace Hotel's Story
The Brown Palace Hotel was finished in 1892. It was built using strong sandstone and red granite. The hotel is named after its first owner, Henry C. Brown. He owned the land in the Capitol Hill area.
The hotel has a unique triangular shape. This design was created by architect Frank Edbrooke. He also designed another famous Denver hotel, the Oxford Hotel. Many people think the Brown Palace is the best example of Edbrooke's work.
Building a Fireproof Marvel
The hotel was built with a frame of iron and steel. This frame was covered with cement and sandstone. Because of these materials, the building was considered "one of America's first fireproof structures." This was a big deal when it was built!
When it was finished, the Brown Palace was the tallest building in Denver. This made it a very impressive sight.
Art and Dining at the Hotel
In the 1930s, a Colorado artist named Allen Tupper True added two large paintings to the hotel's lobby. These murals, called Stage Coach and Airplane Travel, were finished in 1937. They show different ways people traveled.
In 1935, a restaurant called "Ship Tavern" opened inside the hotel. It was designed by architect Alan Fisher. This opening was a celebration because a law called Prohibition had ended.
A Brief Closure in Modern Times
On April 7, 2020, the Brown Palace Hotel closed its doors for a time. This happened because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the first time in the hotel's 128-year history that it had ever closed to guests.
The Brown Palace Annex: A Connected Tower
A tall building with 22 floors stands right across from the main hotel. This building was added in 1959 and is known as the Brown Palace West. It has 231 rooms.
For many years, this tower offered more affordable rooms for guests. Later, its rooms became part of other hotel chains. First, they were a Comfort Inn in 1988, and then a Holiday Inn Express in 2014.
The lower parts of the tower are shared with the main Brown Palace Hotel. This includes a large ballroom and offices. A special skybridge connects the tower to the main building over Tremont Place. There is also a tunnel under the street.
Famous People Who Stayed Here
Many famous people have stayed at the Brown Palace Hotel over the years.
- "Unsinkable" Molly Brown: She was a survivor of the Titanic disaster. She stayed at the hotel just one week after the ship sank.
- Dr. Sun Yat Sen: He visited just before he became the first president of the new Republic of China.
- Queen Marie of Romania: A real queen from Europe stayed at the hotel.
- The Beatles: The famous music band from England also stayed here.
Several United States Presidents have also been guests:
- William Howard Taft
- Warren G. Harding
- Harry S. Truman
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Ronald Reagan
- Bill Clinton
Gallery
- Brown Palace Hotel
-
The Brown Palace atrium stained glass ceiling
-
Historic balconies and interior architecture in atrium of The Brown Palace
-
Historic staircase detail and interior design in The Brown Palace
-
Brown Palace outer facade
-
Standing on the flatiron shaped corner of The Brown Palace, looking up it is easy to see how dramatically angled the building is.
-
The Brown Palace and its then-new annex tower, seen in 1964
-
Brown Palace Interior and Atrium
See also
In Spanish: Hotel Brown Palace (Denver) para niños
