Restore Tacoma's historic Winthrop by Erik Bjornson

Thanks to local family lawyer Erik Bjornson for sending in the following post:

The historical Davenport Hotel in Spokane was built in 1913 as a grand hotel in the city. The hotel was promoted as "one of America's exceptional hotels."

According to their website, after years of neglect, the Davenport hotel was shut down in 1985. After sitting dark and dilapidated for 15 years, the public spaces in the hotel and the ballrooms were restored and the building restored as a "grand working hotel".

Tacoma's Winthrop The historical Winthrop Hotel in Tacoma was built in 1925 as a luxury hotel, with financing provided by "Citizens Hotel Corporation" through a local subscription drive as an effort to boost the local economy. The Winthrop served as a luxury hotel from 1925 to 1973, when it was converted to senior housing and later to low income housing. The Winthrop now sits dilapidated.

According to a recent letter by A.F. Evans: ...we did not reach agreement to extend the purchase and sale contract before it expired at the end of July. Consequently, we are currently out of contract on the property.

Furthermore, A.F. Evans states "we understand that the owner is planning to renew a marketing campaign for the building..."

Spokane's Davenport, Seattle's Mayflower Park and Portland's Governor are all restored historical hotels.

With the Winthrop back on the market, will Tacomans take the (last?) opportunity to restore the historic Winthrop Hotel? How could it be accomplished?

Erik Bjornson is a family law attorney practicing in downtown Tacoma. He writes frequently on urban planning and the health of cities in the Tacoma News Tribune.

Comments (6) | To Top

8/9/2006 @ 1:28pm

Good news, perhaps?

by Patrick

8/9/2006 @ 2:33pm

Good news, perhaps?

Yes, hopefully, Tacoma is ready to make historic preservation a higher priority. Here's an opportunity.

I might add that Spokane, Seattle and Portland have all been able to have successful low income housing programs and been able to restore their historic hotels as well.

by Erik

8/9/2006 @ 8:17pm

The Davenport is the most beautiful hotel I've ever stayed in. It is truly a gem.

by Wildono

4/3/2008 @ 9:51am

i likw that car perhaps when i loo at it i wish i could get money to buy some so that i can be very proud with that

by abu

4/3/2008 @ 1:08pm

That is a lovely old building it is a real pitty to let buildings like that just be left empty.

by Rostyslav

10/22/2008 @ 2:01pm

My father worked at the Winthrop for 13 years beginning in the fifties as a desk clerk. I remember going to many employee Christmas parties there, The Crystal Ballroom was elegant and fancy. Scotty Miles was the manager. 'Sally,' a deep-throated woman, handled the switchboard, and another clerk, bald with a mustache, was named Roy. They had a real elevator operator. I remember the actual rooms as rather small.

by Michael

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