Admiral Benbow Inn: Difference between revisions

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 12: Line 12:
The "Copper Top Lounge", named in honor of its copper-covered tables, was managed by [[Jim McGriff Jr]]. Early bookings included regulars like [[Tom & Marie]]<!--Hoschar--> and the [[Joe Shula Trio]], along with featured visits from the Stan Kenton Orchestra and Buddy Rich in 1973. The lounge area later operated independently as [[Jitterbuggs]].
The "Copper Top Lounge", named in honor of its copper-covered tables, was managed by [[Jim McGriff Jr]]. Early bookings included regulars like [[Tom & Marie]]<!--Hoschar--> and the [[Joe Shula Trio]], along with featured visits from the Stan Kenton Orchestra and Buddy Rich in 1973. The lounge area later operated independently as [[Jitterbuggs]].


After the [[Tutwiler Hotel]] in [[downtown Birmingham]] closed in April [[1973], many of the staff found employment at the Admiral Benbow, and the Tiffany Restaurant began serving the Tutwiler's famous roast beef salad. With the addition of manager [[Joe Aldio]] in [[1975]] the menu expanded to include Oysters Bienville, Shrimp Imperial and Chicken New Orleans.
After the [[Tutwiler Hotel]] in [[downtown Birmingham]] closed in April [[1973], many of the staff found employment at the Admiral Benbow, and the Tiffany Restaurant began serving the Tutwiler's famous roast beef salad. With the addition of manager [[Joe Alioto]]<!--Aldio--> in [[1975]] the menu expanded to include Oysters Bienville, Shrimp Imperial and Chicken New Orleans.


In May [[1975]] the [[Vulcan Corvair Enthusiasts]] hosted the national [[1975 Corvair Society of America convention|Corvair Society of America convention]] at the Admiral Benbow.
In [[1974]] the coaching staff of the [[Birmingham Americans]] of the World Football League leased office space at the Admiral Benbow Inn. They were evicted at the end of the season due to unpaid bills. In May [[1975]] the [[Vulcan Corvair Enthusiasts]] hosted the national [[1975 Corvair Society of America convention|Corvair Society of America convention]] at the Admiral Benbow.


Since the 1970s, the hotel has operated under several other nameplates, including the '''Holiday Inn Homewood''', '''Country Hearth Inn & Suites'''.
Since the 1970s, the hotel has operated under several other nameplates, including the '''Holiday Inn Homewood''', '''Country Hearth Inn & Suites'''.

Revision as of 14:54, 25 February 2023

Americas Best Value Inn & Suites, c. 2006
Tiffany Restaurant at The Admiral Benbow Inn

The Admiral Benbow Inn was a 4-story, 200-room hotel and convention center located at 260 Oxmoor Road near I-65 in Homewood.

Admiral Benbow Inns were founded in Memphis, Tennessee by Robert B. Wood and expanded in partnership with Interstate Inns Inc. of Memphis. The chain had 18 restaurants and 6 motels when the Mobile-based Morrison Cafeterias Consolidated Inc. agreed to purchase it in 1967. The deal closed in April 1968.

The Homewood hotel project was announced as a $4 million, 5-story, 300-room luxury hotel in September 1970. It was developed by Johnson Rast & Hays for Joseph Sandner Jr and a local group of investors. Harry D. Hester & Associates designed the building. The site, "along the crest of Red Mountain", was annexed into Homewood. Called the Admiral Benbow Inn of Two Cities, it was to have featured a rooftop restaurant with views of Birmingham and Homewood. The meeting facilities were to have included a 2,500-seat ballroom and display areas for trade shows. The parking area was designed for 500 cars.

The final project was reduced in scope to just four floors with 200 rooms and smaller convention facilities. In April 1972 the project was listed as having a construction cost of $1.5 million. It opened on December 1, 1972. It boasted the 150-seat restaurant, lounge, meeting facilities for 300, and an outdoor swimming pool. Edmondson Management Services of Memphis operated the hotel which was franchised to Morrison Inc.

The "Copper Top Lounge", named in honor of its copper-covered tables, was managed by Jim McGriff Jr. Early bookings included regulars like Tom & Marie and the Joe Shula Trio, along with featured visits from the Stan Kenton Orchestra and Buddy Rich in 1973. The lounge area later operated independently as Jitterbuggs.

After the Tutwiler Hotel in downtown Birmingham closed in April [[1973], many of the staff found employment at the Admiral Benbow, and the Tiffany Restaurant began serving the Tutwiler's famous roast beef salad. With the addition of manager Joe Alioto in 1975 the menu expanded to include Oysters Bienville, Shrimp Imperial and Chicken New Orleans.

In 1974 the coaching staff of the Birmingham Americans of the World Football League leased office space at the Admiral Benbow Inn. They were evicted at the end of the season due to unpaid bills. In May 1975 the Vulcan Corvair Enthusiasts hosted the national Corvair Society of America convention at the Admiral Benbow.

Since the 1970s, the hotel has operated under several other nameplates, including the Holiday Inn Homewood, Country Hearth Inn & Suites.

By 2011 it was owned by Dinesh Patel with his sons, Shawn and Mike, and operated as Rodeway Inn & Suites and later as America's Best Value Inn & Suites

In March 2014, the Homewood City Council, citing over 150 police calls for various offenses including a a homicide and prostitution over the 32-month period since June 2011, voted to declare the business a public nuisance and revoke its business license.

The Patels filed a lawsuit against the city on March 21, and in May the owners and the city agreed to a settlement where the motel could continue to operate until July 31, by which time it would be sold to another party or closed. As the deadline loomed, the owners asked for a year's extension to comply, but on July 28 the Homewood City Council denied that request.

In June 2021 a group led by Ash Patel presented a redevelopment proposal to the Homewood Planning Commission which included demolition of the existing building for a multi-story self-storage facility fronted by restaurant and retail spaces.

As of January 2023 the vacant hotel building remains standing.

References

Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Admiral_Benbow_Inn&oldid=198454"