Hilton Birmingham at UAB: Difference between revisions
(New page: The '''Doubletree Hotel Birmingham''' (originally the '''Kahler Plaza Hotel''', later the '''Plaza Hotel South''', '''Birmingham Hilton''' and '''Radisson Hotel of Birmingham''') is a 295-...) |
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The '''Doubletree Hotel Birmingham''' (originally the '''Kahler Plaza Hotel''', later the '''Plaza Hotel South''', '''Birmingham Hilton''' and '''Radisson Hotel of Birmingham''') is a 295-room, 14-floor hotel and conference center located at 808 [[20th Street South]] on the southwest corner of [[University Boulevard]] in the heart of [[Southside]]'s [[Medical Center]]. | The '''Doubletree Hotel Birmingham''' (originally the '''Kahler Plaza Hotel''', later the '''Plaza Hotel South''', '''Birmingham Hilton''' and '''Radisson Hotel of Birmingham''') is a 295-room, 14-floor hotel and conference center located at 808 [[20th Street South]] on the southwest corner of [[University Boulevard]] in the heart of [[Southside]]'s [[Medical Center]]. | ||
The exposed concrete building was built in [[1973]] on the former site of the [[Cullom Apartments]], which served as the [[UAB Medical Center Annex]] until their demolition in [[1969]]. It was developed by | The exposed concrete building was built in [[1973]] on the former site of the [[Cullom Apartments]], which served as the [[UAB Medical Center Annex]] until their demolition in [[1969]]. It was developed by Birmingham's [[Daniel Realty Compnay]] and [[UAB]]. A five-level parking deck was built alongside the hotel, which was to have been paired with a 200-unit apartment building when first proposed. | ||
The hotel was first operated by the Kahler Corporation of Rochester, Minnesota as the "Kahler Plaza Hotel". A raised terrace houses the hotel's swimming pool and saunas. The original cocktail lounge, called '''The Depot''', was decorated in the style of an early 1900s train depot. The main dining room, dubbed '''The Tiffany''', was decorated in an art nouveau style. | |||
By [[1975]] the hotel was being operated by Best Western. In the 1980s it was briefly owned by the Hilton Hotel chain. In the mid 1980s the property was sold to Columbia Sussex of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, which rebranded the hotel as a Radisson Inn. Hilton did not return to the area until it bought the former [[Sheraton Perimeter Park South]] in [[2002]]. Radisson operated the hotel restaurant as '''J. Gatsby's'''. | By [[1975]] the hotel was being operated by Best Western. In the 1980s it was briefly owned by the Hilton Hotel chain. In the mid 1980s the property was sold to Columbia Sussex of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, which rebranded the hotel as a Radisson Inn. Hilton did not return to the area until it bought the former [[Sheraton Perimeter Park South]] in [[2002]]. Radisson operated the hotel restaurant as '''J. Gatsby's'''. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* Beiman, Irving (November 23, 1969) "UA, Daniel Realty plan hotel complex." ''Birmingham News'' | |||
* "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll2,1116 City's newest hotel opens its doors]" (October 1, 1973) ''Birmingham News'' - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections | * "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll2,1116 City's newest hotel opens its doors]" (October 1, 1973) ''Birmingham News'' - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections | ||
* Williams, Roy L. (June 9, 2006) "Radisson to become first Doubletree Hotel in city." ''Birmingham News'' | * Williams, Roy L. (June 9, 2006) "Radisson to become first Doubletree Hotel in city." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
Revision as of 00:20, 9 November 2009
The Doubletree Hotel Birmingham (originally the Kahler Plaza Hotel, later the Plaza Hotel South, Birmingham Hilton and Radisson Hotel of Birmingham) is a 295-room, 14-floor hotel and conference center located at 808 20th Street South on the southwest corner of University Boulevard in the heart of Southside's Medical Center.
The exposed concrete building was built in 1973 on the former site of the Cullom Apartments, which served as the UAB Medical Center Annex until their demolition in 1969. It was developed by Birmingham's Daniel Realty Compnay and UAB. A five-level parking deck was built alongside the hotel, which was to have been paired with a 200-unit apartment building when first proposed.
The hotel was first operated by the Kahler Corporation of Rochester, Minnesota as the "Kahler Plaza Hotel". A raised terrace houses the hotel's swimming pool and saunas. The original cocktail lounge, called The Depot, was decorated in the style of an early 1900s train depot. The main dining room, dubbed The Tiffany, was decorated in an art nouveau style.
By 1975 the hotel was being operated by Best Western. In the 1980s it was briefly owned by the Hilton Hotel chain. In the mid 1980s the property was sold to Columbia Sussex of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, which rebranded the hotel as a Radisson Inn. Hilton did not return to the area until it bought the former Sheraton Perimeter Park South in 2002. Radisson operated the hotel restaurant as J. Gatsby's.
In November 2005 Columbia Sussex began a $10 million makeover of the southside hotel reopening it in June 2006 as the city's first Doubletree (a Hilton brand). The restaurant was renamed Bistro Americana.
The Doubetree is also the home of J. Reiss Custom Clothier.
References
- Beiman, Irving (November 23, 1969) "UA, Daniel Realty plan hotel complex." Birmingham News
- "City's newest hotel opens its doors" (October 1, 1973) Birmingham News - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
- Williams, Roy L. (June 9, 2006) "Radisson to become first Doubletree Hotel in city." Birmingham News
External links
- Doubletree Hotel Birmingham website