Looking for a hotel for your next visit to Phoenix? This one probably wouldn't be on your list even if it was still open. This is the old St. James Hotel on Madison Street in downtown Phoenix. It has been sitting empty for a long time on property that is now owned by the Suns Legacy Partners (the owners of the Phoenix Suns basketball team). Originally there were two old hotels on this property. The owners have demolished one of them but agreed to preserve the facade and lobby of this one.
It was a bit of a "skid row" kind of place when it was last in business but, back in 1929 when it was new it was just a nice downtown hotel used by travelers arriving in Phoenix by train. It's been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1985. It will be interesting to see how this building will be incorporated into something new. I've read that the lobby has a lot of old world charm.
22 comments:
Hopefully it will be renovated somehow, looks a good solid building!
Love the brick wall! This building would surely be a nice spot, since there are not so much old ones around?! Allways have a smile on my face with my Europian mind, when reading about something being "old" in the US and yes, all this stuff has some credit for our thinking here around Vienna. I like it, whatever it is going to turn around soon. Please keep us updated!
Greetings from an also very hot spot with temperatures beyond the 100´s now
Elisabeth
If hotels could talk this one would have a lot of hidden secrets to tell.
At least something has been saved!
Such a great idea be "recording" with pictures.
You have to wonder why hotels stop being popular and run into trouble lime this Sharon, would be mega cool to see that lobby :)
To me this looks a bit like an old saloon :)
It looks like a building that can be put to good use.
Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Such a cute hotel building! Glad it will last no matter what it will turn into.
I bet it could be made into some terrific apartments or condos.
Interesting! I hope it gets restored in a way to preserve that old world charm.
It looks like it could star in an old western with horses tied up out front!
There's an old hymn that contains the line, "Time makes ancient good uncouth." It is too true and sad, too. I'm glad this building will be preserved to some degree! I know change is inevitable but that doesn't mean we have to destroy the past.
It definitely needs some work.
Oh I do hope they keep all its features!
Hopefully some good can come of it.
Nice photos. Next time I am downtown, I will sure to bring my camera.
Right out of the old west. i'm sure this old hotel holds many stories.
Hmmmm. I sure can't see what it might be, but I guess that is why there are architects and developers.
If you ever get a chance to go inside, take it! I can't imagine it being much nicer on the inside. But I suppose you can't judge a book by it's cover.
I always loved that building.
I hope that someone takes on the job of renovation.
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