Blackhawk Hotel | |
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Location | 309 Perry St., Davenport, Iowa |
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Area | 0.9 acres (0.36 ha) |
Built | 1914 |
Architect | Temple & Burrows; Ebeling,Arthur |
Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
MPS | Davenport MRA |
NRHP reference No. | 83002402[1] |
Added to NRHP | July 07, 1983 |
The Blackhawk Hotel is an eleven-story brick and terra cotta building located in Downtown Davenport, Iowa.[2] The hotel, built in 1914, features Italian Renaissance design along with modern art deco. The Italian Renaissance is featured on the rusticated stonework on the entry level. Art Deco is found in corners of the terra cotta pilasters. Originally the lobby contained a two-story atrium, but this has since been enclosed to create additional meeting space. The hotel is located next to the north RiverCenter building and across the street from the south RiverCenter building (which is an expo center) and the hotel is just down the street from the Adler Theater. The Blackhawk has been host to several high-profile people including Carl Sandburg, Herbert Hoover, Richard Nixon, Jack Dempsey. Cary Grant was staying at the Blackhawk Hotel when he died in Davenport. [3] The hotel named rooms 412–414 the "Nixon Suite". Big bands such as Guy Lombardo and Stan Kenton played at the Blackhawk on many occasions.[3]
Before construction of the Blackhawk Hotel, the Saratoga Hotel occupied the land. In 1915 the first seven floors of the "New Fireproof Hotel Blackhawk" were completed. In 1920 the remaining stories, eight through eleven were added. The Blackhawk Hotel was designed by the locally prominent architectural firm of Seth Justin Temple and Parke Tunis Burrows. From 1974–1979 the hotel was closed due to bankruptcy.[2] The intervention by an entrepreneur set the hotel temporarily back on track, but it eventually filed for bankruptcy again.[2] Following the second bankruptcy, the Davenport Bank took ownership of the property, and hired a management company to run the facility. In 1990, the hotel was bought by the Isle of Capri Casinos.
On February 12, 2006, a fire started in a meth lab on the eighth floor.[4] The hotel had been deteriorating steadily since it was purchased by the Isle of Capri Casino in 2000. The City of Davenport took over the property from the Isle of Capri. In October, 2008, a development agreement was signed which gave ownership of the property to Restoration St. Louis owned by Amrit and Amy Gill. The company announced plans for a $35-million plus restoration.
In January, 2009, BSI Constructors, selected as General Contractor for the project, began the process of stripping and salvaging within the property [5] . In April, the official kickoff to the project was announced [6].
In June of 2010, Tim Heim, a veteran of the Quad City hospitality industry, was named Sales & Marketing Director and the hotel affiliated itself with Summit Hotels & Resorts Group and the National Register Historic Hotels of America network . As 2010 advanced, the pace picked up.
Wesley Ludloff (a Hotelier with more than 20 years of experience in Luxury Hotels including Five-Star and Five Diamond Award winning properties) was hired in April of 2010 and represent Innkeeper’s Hospitality Services (IHS), a new Hotel Management company that is managing the Hotel Blackhawk. [7].
On Sept. 20, 2010, a new joint affiliation was created as Hotel Blackhawk, Davenport RiverCenter, Adler Theatre and Radisson Quad City Plaza joined forces to market as the Quad Cities Event Center, [8].
In September 2010, Benjamin Dolittle was named as Executive Chef for the hotel and it’s newly named restaurant – Bix Bistro [9].
On October 5th, 2010, Hotel Blackhawk announced a promotional tour by a “bellhop” representing the return to glory for the property. Appearing at community events, the bellhop gave a wooden nickel which recipients would be able to turn into the front desk upon the hotel’s opening for various free items.
On October 15-16, 2010, a career fair was held which attracted over 1,000 people to inquire about and secure employment with the property.
Then, on Oct. 30, 2010, the hotel received its first award. The non-profit group 1,000 Friends of Iowa based in Des Moines, awarded Hotel Blackhawk the 2010 Best Development Award in the Best Mixed Use category. The property was selected due to the success of transforming a National Register historic
landmark into a vibrant mixed use facility. According to one of the judges, “This is a stellar project that demonstrates that continued investment in our historic downtowns makes good business sense.”
On Nov. 8, 2010, hotel management announced it would serve as a music venue and host property for the 40th Annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival in August, 2011. Then, on Nov. 13, 2010, the hotel announced it would add a unique amenity for guests. One floor of the hotel would be set aside for owners with dogs under 40 pounds to stay with the guests in their rooms.
Upon its re-opening, the Hotel Blackhawk will retain its historical character while featuring modern conveniences. Those include wireless internet throughout the 20 one- and two-bedroom apartments, 130 guestrooms, nine extended-stay rooms including the exclusive Blackhawk Suite, eight meeting rooms and up to 300-person banquet capacity in the signature Gold Room.
Other hotel features include flat-screen televisions, a state-of-the-art fitness center, business center, swimming pool, hot tub, game room, room service and 24-hour valet service. The hotel also hosts the Bix Bistro restaurant and a New Orleans-themed coffee shop “Beignet Done That,” which is a “We Proudly Brew Starbucks” venue. Lobby retail tenants include Spa Luce and Milan Florist. On the lower level is the re-opening of Blackhawk Lanes, a multi-lane bowling alley.
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13.
- ^ a b c Davenport Public Library. "3rd Street East - 200 (Blawkhawk Hotel)". Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs - State Historical Society of Iowa. Retrieved 2010-03-08.
- ^ a b Svendsen, Marlys (1985). Davenport A Pictorial History. G. Bradley Publishing, INC. p. 78. ISBN 0-940286-05-X.
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(help) - ^ "Neglect ends today at the Blackhawk". Quad City Times. 2009-04-15. Retrieved 2010-03-08.
- ^ "Workers strip Blackhawk Hotel". Quad City Times. 2009-1-27.
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(help) - ^ "Blackhawk Hotel restoration officially under way". Quad City Times. 2009-4-16.
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(help) - ^ "Hotel Blackhawk has new name, new manager". Quad City Times. 2010-5-27.
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(help) - ^ "Groups rebrand Davenport downtown businesses". Quad City Times. 2010-9-21.
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(help) - ^ "New Orleans chef will head bistro at Blackhawk". Quad City Times. 2009-10-28.