Hotel Syracuse
Upon the site of several of the old homesteads of Syracuse the Hotel Syracuse was built in 1922-24. Upon the point stood what was latterly known as the Brown homestead, with frontages both on East Onondaga and Warren streets. Willett and Hannah Brown had purchased this house from Alonzo C. Yates. For years the Free Dispensary had been located in that building. Suit was begun in January, 1918, to settle the curb lines. Title was finally established in February, 1919. This gave the city fifty-three feet on each side measured from the intersection of the curb lines with the base of a triangle running parallel with the front porch of the old building. This is interesting merely as showing the way the old homes were originally built into the street. The cost of that plot for the hotel, which was in seven parcels, was $691,966, or $1,152 per front foot. There were 32,000 square feet occupied by the hotel construction, which was put up with twenty-four stores and six hundred and eight rooms. By reason of the non-payment of various subscriptions for stock the hotel met with delay and financial trouble in the latter part of 1923, but this was met by reorganization and completion. In April, 1924, the hotel was leased to R. P. Brainard, of New York.
Text Source: Syracuse Convention City, Printed by Hyde-Baumler, Inc., Syracuse, NY
The Hotel Syracuse, a palatial new hotel, located in the heart of the business and theatrical district has 600 rooms, all outside, with private bath, servidor, circulating ice water and many other features. It is considered one of the finest examples of hotel designing and construction in the country. Playing host to many conventions the management and the staff of this hotel have become specialists in the art of entertaining these gatherings. The special requirements of such events are all met with courteous attention and no effort is too great to render satisfaction to every attending guest.
One of the principal advantages of the hotel from a convention standpoint is the tenth floor which is devoted exclusively to public functions. It is quickly reached from the spacious lobby by four express elevators. Here are located the various convention chambers, the foremost being the magnificent Grand Ball Room, 48 feet x 124 feet, the largest in any hotel between New York and Buffalo. Each hundred can be comfortably seated here for a banquet and a proportionately greater number can be accomodated at a meeting or dance. Exhibits of any sort are especially well shown in this ball room. It is ideal for large gatherings and the adjoining Assembly Foyer may be used to care for any overflow.
There is a Small Ball Room with a banquet capacity of 250. On the same floor are six private Dining Rooms so arranged that they may be combined in all or in part to meet desired sizes. They may serve as committee, conference or convention office rooms, and for private dinners. A convention held on this floor is away from the other guests of the Hotel and not only assures privacy but better opportunity for concentration on the business of the Convention.
Submitted 3 April 2006 by Pamela Priest