Pontchartrain Hotel
The Pontchartrain Hotel is a historic hotel on St. Charles Avenue in Uptown New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. (History, 2006)
Named after Count de Pontchartrain of the court of Louis XIV, the Pontchartrain Hotel commenced operations in March, 1927. The grade elevation of the hotel was four feet above mean sea level as of the year 1990 according to a survey by Earth Metrics, while the elevation of the Mississippi River stood at 14 feet (4.3 m) above mean sea level. (Hogan, 1990) An earlier hotel was in operation as early as 1825 as reported by Bernard; this predecessor structure was described as "behind the old fort". (Bernhard, 1828) Noted guests of the Hotel Ponchartrain include Tennessee Williams, (Staggs, 2005) Jose Ferrer, Rita Hayworth (Frommer, 2007), The Doors (Densmore, 1990), and George H. Bush. Williams worked on his classic play Streetcar Named Desire while staying at the Pontchartrain Hotel. (Staggs, 2005)
The hotel has also had restaurants, producing such notable original dishes as "mile high pie". Pianists with longtime gigs at the hotel have included Tuts Washington and Philip Melancon. Despite some damage from Hurricane Katrina, the hotel reopened afterwards. There was more damage from looting and vandalism than from weather-related factors. (Frommer, 2007)
The 80-year-old hotel building closed for extensive renovations in July 2007, expected to take about a year. However, in July 2008, it was reported that the building would be converted into a residence for retirees.[1] [2]
In August 2013, the Pontchartrain reopened as a hotel. Its historic Bayou Bar reopened in February 2014.[3]
The Pontchartrain Hotel was acquired by AJ Capital Partners in November 2014. Opening in late-Spring 2016, the 106-room hotel will be restored to maintain a historic feel while imparting a sense of modern comfort and style throughout both guestrooms and suites.[4] The landmark's historic Caribbean Room, The Bayou Bar, and The Silver Whistle coffee shop will be reinvented with contemporary energy that still evokes the nostalgia of the original restaurants. Additionally, a new rooftop bar will be created on the 14th story of the hotel overlooking the Mississippi River. All the hotel's food and beverage will be executed by Besh Restaurant Group, lead by local New Orleans chef, John Besh.[5]
AJ Capital Partners is a Chicago-based team of hospitality and real estate investors who develop, own and operate commercial and hospitality assets and businesses in the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The company was established in 2008.[6]
See also
Notes
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- ↑ http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2014/02/pontchartrain_hotel_revives_ba.html
- ↑ http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2014/11/the_pontchartrain_hotel_sells.html
- ↑ http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2015/11/john_besh_rooftop_bar_pontchar.html#incart_gallery
- ↑ http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20151024/ISSUE01/310249991/ben-weprin-is-behind-some-of-chicagos-most-stylish-hotels-heres-his-latest-obsession
Reference notes
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- Hogan, C. Michael and Marc Papineau, Earth Metrics Incorporated, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for the Pontchartrain Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, Report Number 10456, March 19, 1990
- Bernhard, Travels Through North America, During the Years 1825 and 1826, p 53, G. & C. Carvill, New York (1828)
- Staggs, Sam, When Blanche Met Brando: The Scandalous Story of "A Streetcar Named Desire", p 13, St Martins Press, New York, (2005)
- Densmore, John, Riders on the Storm, Delacorte Press, New York (1990)
- Frommer, New Orleans Travel Guide (2007)
External links
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