I stayed there about five years ago and though the common areas were still beautiful, the rooms left a lot to be desired. Seemed very chintzy for a hotel of this caliber. The Rotunda is the round reception room with a domed ceiling and a statue of TJ.
Jackie, that photo is the rotunda room. I thought the same thing, but apparently it can also be simply a large common area. This is what Merriam-Webster says:. Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now. Notify of. In order to foster transparent, civil conversation, please include your full name when posting comments. Inline Feedbacks. The Grand Staircase and The Mezzanine, both formerly enclosed behind arched walls, were opened and the hotel expanded to include new rooms, in addition to the remaining from the original structure.
The wing to the east, including The Grand Ballroom, was added. In May , the enlarged hotel was reopened. The restoration was designed by architect J.
Kevan Peebles, who also designed the then new wings of the Virginia State Capitol. Although the interior of the hotel looked very different from the original, it was still magnificent. The new Jefferson resumed its grand traditions and once more became the hub of Richmond society, a place for elaborate weddings, cotillions and banquets, as well as a gathering place for informal social events and meetings.
The alligators that soon came to live in the marble pools in the Palm Court became a source of much interest. Richmonders and hotel guests enthusiastically donated pet alligators to the hotel as they became too large to occupy sinks and bathtubs. The last alligator, named Old Pompey, remained at The Jefferson until he died in Today you will find whimsical references to these legendary reptiles throughout the hotel.
During World War II, the management had a government contract to lodge recruits. In those years there were also more than permanent residents in the hotel.
In March , another fire broke out. This disaster took the lives of six people and saddened the community. Necessary repairs and replacements were made, and the tempo of the hotel was re-established. But the pace slackened, and gradual decline began. In , the Jefferson Hotel was closed to everyone except an occasional movie maker who used it as a set.
Richmonders again began to dream of the possibility of a grand reopening one day. Three years later a local developer took the lead. He organized a group of investors, which was one of two bidders on the property when the owners decided to sell. The other bid was from the Federal government, which wanted to level the hotel and build the new Federal Reserve Bank on the site.
Reconstruction began in The restoration showcased the superior skills of all the designers, decorators, technicians, artisans and construction crews who performed the demanding, dual task of restoration and modernization. Glorious stained-glass windows were retrieved from storage and refurbished. Decorative carvings on ceilings and gold-leaf ornamentation were carefully restored. Layers of paint were removed from walls to reveal mahogany paneling and from exterior columns to uncover pure marble.
Original wood and marble floors were cleaned and polished. Colors and motifs were brought back to their former beauty. In the next year a multi-million dollar renovation began, which included redecoration of all guestrooms and suites, the Rotunda and the Palm Court, enhanced parking and improved amenities. The hotel's guestrooms and suites come in 57 different styles, all outfitted with high ceilings, large windows and custom furnishings.
A full-service health club is on-site, and the Jefferson Hotel also boasts two of Richmond's finest restaurants and a Champagne Sunday Brunch. Among the list of celebrities and notable guests who have visited here are: 13 U. Rockefeller, Jr.
For many guests and visitors, the dramatic step polished marble staircase has been the cynosure of all eyes. Since the film classic "Gone With the Wind" was allegedly filmed on the Jefferson Hotel staircase, it is hard to stand at the base without visualizing Rhett Butler carrying Scarlett O'Hara up those stairs. Visit my website www. A knowledgeable hotel expert can provide an attorney with a thorough understanding of hotel industry standards and practice, compelling testimony, thoughtful report writing and indispensable litigation support assistance.
This award is presented to an individual for making a unique contribution in the research and presentation of hotel history and whose work has encouraged a wide discussion, greater understanding and enthusiasm for American History. Turkel is a well-known consultant in the hotel industry. He operates his hotel consulting practice serving as an expert witness in hotel-related cases, providing asset management and hotel franchising consultation. Stanley Turkel is one of the most widely-published authors in the hospitality field.
Boomer, George C. All of these books can be ordered from the publisher by visiting www. View Article on Mobile Site. Hotel History. Nobody Asked Me, But
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