Monte Cristo Hotel
Monte Cristo Hotel | |
Location of the hotel in Washington | |
Location | 1507 Wall St., Everett, Washington |
---|---|
Coordinates | 47°58′41″N 122°12′30″W / 47.97806°N 122.20833°W |
Area | less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
Built | 1925 |
Built by | Alexander & MacNeil |
Architect | Henry Bittman |
Engineer | Henry Bittman |
Consulting architect | Abraham H. Albertson |
Architectural style | Second Renaissance Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 76001907 |
Added to NRHP | June 3, 1976[1] |
The Monte Cristo Hotel is a historic building located in Everett, Washington. It is a major feature of the city's downtown core. It ceased functioning as a hotel in 1972. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 3, 1976.[2] In 1994 it was restored and redeveloped into low income housing.
Building
The six story brick building was largest hotel project in Everett. It was built on the site of the original Monte Cristo Hotel, which opened in 1892 and had hosted the
Modern times
The building was redeveloped and historically restored in 1994 to apartments, an arts venue and a wedding and banquet facility.
False start
In 1991 after the building had been vacant about 20 years a group of investors spent about US$100,000 (equivalent to $223,699 in 2023) working on a redevelopment plan that fell through.[5] Plans were announced in 1993 to renovate the building as low cost housing.[4] At that time Mayor Pete Kinch described the Monte Cristo Hotel as a "bellwether of how we as a community are dealing with" the problem of downtown decline.[4]
Redevelopment and restoration
In August 1993 private developer Lojis Corp. had assembled a financing package for the redevelopment into low income housing. The package was contingent on leasing some of the building's space. A plan for the city to lease the space for an arts venue led to a lengthy city council debate.
Reopening
At a three-day grand reopening on June 10–12, 1994 Mayor Ed Hansen lauded Lojis president David Mandley for persevering in getting the project organized and skill in the historical restoration of the buildings exterior and common spaces.[9] The guest rooms had been converted to 69 residential units which as a condition of using the tax credits must be rented to tenants with an income 60% or less of the area's median.[9] Historic renovation and preservation were mandated by the use of the historic tax credits.[9] Reporter Diane Brooks wrote in The Seattle Times, "Once a symbol of downtown decay, the hotel now symbolizes Everett's development boom".[9] Popular downtown restaurant Passport moved into the Monte Cristo in 1994.[10]
21st century
In 1997 the building was again serving as a civic center when a public forum for candidates for judge on the county superior court was held there.
See also
References
- ^ "National Register Information System – Monte Cristo Hotel (#76001907)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ a b Potter, Elisabeth Walton (June 3, 1976). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Monte Cristo Hotel". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved February 27, 2020. With 2 photos from 1975.
- OCLC 62728798.
- ^ a b c Glover, Darrell (January 2, 1993). "Everett picking up steam – a renaissance is under way as city celebrates centennial". Seattle Post–Intelligencer. p. B1.
- ^ Shaw, Linda (August 29, 1991). "Developers abandon plan for Everett hotel". The Seattle Times. p. F1.
- ^ Brooks, Diane (August 19, 1993). "Council delays vote on lease that could save beloved hotel". The Seattle Times. p. B2.
- ^ Brooks, Diane (August 26, 1993). "Everett council OKs plan to fix up historic hotel". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
- ^ Brooks, Diane (November 22, 1993). "Grandeur returning to the Monte Cristo – Work progressing at historic Everett hotel". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
- ^ a b c d e Brooks, Diane (June 10, 1994). "From 'eyesore' to elegance – pigeons out, stained glass in for Monte Cristo reopening". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
- ^ Hinterberger, John (November 13, 1994). "Hungry for change? – What's new? – Not much. And everything. (Part 2 of 2)". The Seattle Times. p. 12.
- ^ "Forum set for candidates for bench". The Seattle Times. May 5, 1997. p. B2.
- ^ Anderson, Hilda (February 19, 1998). "Often–overlooked Everett is a worthy adventure". Seattle Post–Intelligencer. p. 3.
- The Herald Business Journal.
- The Daily Herald. History of a hotel: Everett's dreams gave rise to Monte Cristo.