Parliament House: Difference between revisions
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The '''Parliament House Motor Hotel''' was an 11-story, 223-room hotel now sitting vacant on the west side of [[20th Street South]] between [[4th Avenue South|4th]] and [[5th Avenue South|5th Avenue]]s. | The '''Parliament House Motor Hotel''' was an 11-story, 223-room hotel now sitting vacant on the west side of [[20th Street South]] between [[4th Avenue South|4th]] and [[5th Avenue South|5th Avenue]]s. | ||
The dramatically modern structure was constructed in [[1964]] by a group of investors that included actress Doris Day. In addition to guest rooms the hotel offered a swimming pool on a raised terrace, the '''Baron of Beef''' restaurant, two lounges (the '''Once a Knight''' and ''Baron's Cork Room'''), meeting facilities, and a row of retail shops. Its marketing slogan was "Built for the House of Lords...priced for the House of Commons." | The dramatically modern structure was constructed in [[1964]] by a group of investors that included actress Doris Day. In addition to guest rooms the hotel offered a swimming pool on a raised terrace, the '''Baron of Beef''' restaurant, two lounges (the '''Once a Knight''' and '''Baron's Cork Room'''), meeting facilities, and a row of retail shops. Its marketing slogan was "Built for the House of Lords...priced for the House of Commons." | ||
Until the completion of the [[Sheraton Birmingham Hotel|Hyatt House]] at the [[BJCC]], the Parliament House served as downtown's premiere contemporary hotel, hosting celebrities such as Richard Nixon and O. J. Simpson. The presence of the hotel spurred development of "[[The Strip on 20th Street South|The Strip]]", a row of restaurants and nightclubs across 20th street including [[Michael's]], [[Rossi's]], [[PJ's Lounge]], and [[Emil's Cantina]]. | Until the completion of the [[Sheraton Birmingham Hotel|Hyatt House]] at the [[BJCC]], the Parliament House served as downtown's premiere contemporary hotel, hosting celebrities such as Richard Nixon and O. J. Simpson. The presence of the hotel spurred development of "[[The Strip on 20th Street South|The Strip]]", a row of restaurants and nightclubs across 20th street including [[Michael's]], [[Rossi's]], [[PJ's Lounge]], and [[Emil's Cantina]]. | ||
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The hotel was managed by [[Cliff Holman]] for a period in the mid 1970s. Over time it became affiliated with major hotel chains, including Ramada Inn and Holiday Inn. Their attempts to renovate the building proved unprofitable and their tenures short-lived. At one point the attached parking garage was sold off, leaving the building without secured parking. | The hotel was managed by [[Cliff Holman]] for a period in the mid 1970s. Over time it became affiliated with major hotel chains, including Ramada Inn and Holiday Inn. Their attempts to renovate the building proved unprofitable and their tenures short-lived. At one point the attached parking garage was sold off, leaving the building without secured parking. | ||
[[Image:Parliament_House.jpg|right|thumb|225px| | [[Image:Parliament_House.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Parliament House in 2005]] | ||
In the 1990s the Parliament House was refurbished and reopened as '''Parliament Hotel & Suites''' with a new restaurant and bar ([[Cafe 420]]). Artists from City Stages who were booked at the hotel, however, found the rooms to be small and insufficiently refurbished. | In the 1990s the Parliament House was refurbished and reopened as '''Parliament Hotel & Suites''' with a new restaurant and bar ([[Cafe 420]]). Artists from City Stages who were booked at the hotel, however, found the rooms to be small and insufficiently refurbished. | ||
Revision as of 16:44, 19 March 2007
The Parliament House Motor Hotel was an 11-story, 223-room hotel now sitting vacant on the west side of 20th Street South between 4th and 5th Avenues.
The dramatically modern structure was constructed in 1964 by a group of investors that included actress Doris Day. In addition to guest rooms the hotel offered a swimming pool on a raised terrace, the Baron of Beef restaurant, two lounges (the Once a Knight and Baron's Cork Room), meeting facilities, and a row of retail shops. Its marketing slogan was "Built for the House of Lords...priced for the House of Commons."
Until the completion of the Hyatt House at the BJCC, the Parliament House served as downtown's premiere contemporary hotel, hosting celebrities such as Richard Nixon and O. J. Simpson. The presence of the hotel spurred development of "The Strip", a row of restaurants and nightclubs across 20th street including Michael's, Rossi's, PJ's Lounge, and Emil's Cantina.
The hotel was managed by Cliff Holman for a period in the mid 1970s. Over time it became affiliated with major hotel chains, including Ramada Inn and Holiday Inn. Their attempts to renovate the building proved unprofitable and their tenures short-lived. At one point the attached parking garage was sold off, leaving the building without secured parking.
In the 1990s the Parliament House was refurbished and reopened as Parliament Hotel & Suites with a new restaurant and bar (Cafe 420). Artists from City Stages who were booked at the hotel, however, found the rooms to be small and insufficiently refurbished.
In 2001 Bedrock Partners of Dallas purchased the hotel from SouthTrust Bank for $3.2 million with plans to spend $15 million converting it into a Marriott Courtyard. The City of Birmingham approved a float loan of $600,000 to Crestline Capital Corporation to assist with the project, but the plans never moved forward. The building was put up for sale with a covenant restriction against using it as a hotel.
In June 2006 the building was purchased for $3.7 million by the UAB Education Foundation as a site for future expansion of the university. The intention is to level the building, but no date for demolition has been set and there are no specific plans for redevelopment.
Retailers
Retail outlets in the Parliament House included a barber shop and beauty salon, two clothing shops (Village Sportswear and Fain's Ltd), two auto rental offices, a sidewalk café, and a gift and sundry shop.
References
- Tomberlin, Michael (June 30, 2006) "Parliament House to be razed by UAB". Birmingham News.