07 Nov documenting adler and sullivan’s st. nicholas hotel prior to its demolition in 1974
recently digitized images of adler and sullivan’s 7-story st. nicholas hotel (later known as victoria and used as office building) built between 1892-1894.
i’ve included images of the seldom seen 7th floor grand banquet hall and ladies restaurant on main floor, black and white images taken by richard nickel around 1955 and 4×6 color snapshots taken by bob furhoff shortly before the building was demolished in 1974.
the top story with vaulted ceiling and gabled roof topped with red slate tiles was destroyed by fire in 1901. major alterations and additions (e.g., two-story base, including removal of the tall arched opening that integrated the basement and first floor) were done by eames and young of st. louis.
several buff-colored terra cotta 4-part “snowflake” spandrel panels were salvaged during its demolition in 1974. the window bay ornament was executed by the winkle terra cotta company, st. louis, mo.
courtesy of ryerson and burnham, art institute of chicago and bldg. 51 archive.
images of sullivan-designed ornament salvaged from st. nicholas hotel:
courtesy of bldg. 51 museum.
further reading:
