Hotel Metropole (Santa Cruz, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Metropole Hotel
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 Location in California
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| Location | 1111 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, California |
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| Built | 1908 |
| Architect | Charles Kay |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000553 |
| Added to NRHP | 1979 |
The Hotel Metropole was a historic building in Santa Cruz, California. It was built in 1908 and served as a hotel for many years. In 1979, it was recognized for its special history and architecture. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of important historical sites in the United States. Sadly, the hotel was badly damaged during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and had to be torn down.
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A Place to Stay and Shop
When the Metropole Hotel first opened in 1908, it offered many rooms for people to stay. Guests could rent a furnished room for a short visit or a longer stay. The hotel also had space for other businesses. There was a millinery, which is a shop that sells hats. It also housed offices and a grocery store.
Changing Names Over Time
Over the years, the hotel changed its name a few times. In 1935, it became known as the Hotel Al Rose. Later, in 1946, its name changed again to the Hotel Drake. It continued to operate as a hotel until 1961. By 1976, the building was home to a bookstore called Plaza Books / Paper Vision.
Unique Architecture and Design
The Hotel Metropole was special because of its unique design. It was built in the late Italianate style. This style was popular around the turn of the 20th century. Instead of expensive plaster decorations, the hotel used pressed metal for its fancy designs. This metal looked like the more costly Victorian plasterwork.
Special Architectural Details
Some of the most beautiful parts of the building were the four pediments above the third-story windows. A pediment is a triangular or curved shape used as decoration. The hotel also featured cornices with an acanthus design. Cornices are decorative moldings that stick out from the top of a wall. The acanthus design looks like the leaves of the acanthus plant. These details made the hotel stand out.
Importance to Santa Cruz
The Metropole Hotel was an important part of the Pacific Garden Mall area in Santa Cruz. It helped connect the past with the present. Its size and design added to the feeling of a busy city street. Even though it's gone, its architectural value and history are still remembered.
