|
|
 |
The Shawnee Hotel is a prime example of early 20th century commercial architecture in Springfield. It is one of the largest and finest Second Renaissance style buildings in the community and its two-story main lobby is one of the city’s most impressive interiors.
The hotel was built in 1916 by prominent Springfield realtor and developer A.C. Link and was the most fashionable hotel in town at the time with its plumbing in every guest room and numerous large meeting and banquet rooms. Famous guests included Howard Hughes and the Marx Brothers. The first class, fireproof hotel operated through the depression and into the 1960’s before being converted into a residential hotel. Afterwards, it closed completely and was vacant for a number of years before being rehabilitated for senior housing in 1985. The current rehabilitation project included a new roof, repairs to the cornice, masonry cleaning, new storm windows, upgrading the 84 apartment units and making 18 of them fully handicapped accessible, and converting the original freight elevator into a handicapped accessible passenger elevator.
Built by the Caldwell-Marshall Co., Indianapolis, with H. Ziegler Dietz of St. Louis, architect, the hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 for is architectural significance. The 8-story building displays elements of the Second Renaissance Revival style through its tripartite delineation of floors, use of classical architectural elements and pronounced cornice. It was a popular style choice in turn of the 20th century commercial and public buildings that emphasized balance and retrained simplicity.
In its glory days, the Shawnee provided respite and entertainment to the well-heeled. And now, nearly 100 years later, this quality building has new purpose providing comfort, security, and amenities to an equally deserving population.
Click
here
to return to the list of 2011 Ohio Historic Preservation Office Award recipients.
Click
here
for a list of past Ohio Historic Preservation Office Award recipients.
|
|
|
