Built St. Louis > > Central Corridor > > Washington Avenue
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823 Washington Avenue
Renasisance St. Louis Suites Hotel
Originally: Lennox Hotel
Architect: Preston Bradshaw, 1929
This tall, thin tower was the city's tallest hotel at the time of its opening. After decades of prosperity, it declined into the 1970s. A 1986 plan to convert it to apartments ultimately collapsed, leaving the building in the city's hands and vacant for a decade.
By July 2002 a new renovation plan had been carried out, and the Lennox Hotel re-opened as the Renaissance St. Louis Suites Hotel, part of the complex that also includes the former Hotel Statler across the street.
The building's largely-blank eastern face is the canvas for a massive tromp l'oiel painting by Evergreene Painting Studios, giving it illusory Beaux Arts detailing as part of the 1986 remodeling.
Links:
National Register of Historic Places nomination form (PDF file)
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March 2001 - vacant
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September 2006 - returned to life
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