Randolph Hotel (Hotel Randolph)

401-405 Court Ave

Built in 1912

HL Stevens Company, architect (also did the Kirkwood)

Designed to expand to the north

Developed by Judge James and Ida Hewitt (named for their eldest son)

They later sold to Edwin and Ethel Boss, leaders in the hotel business.

Pioneered the use of reinforced concrete for the structural frame for a hotel building in Des Moines

Chicago Commercial style

NRHP 2009 Criteria C: structural design

The Hotel Randolph Café was in the lower level and had street and lobby access. The lobby access was by a “fine Italian white marble with green marble trim stair” The area is now used as a laundry and storage.

Saturday, March 24, 1923 an elevator at the Randolph Hotel plummeted 8 stories killing four people: Mr & Mrs Harry Hill, Mrs. Richard Hoskins, and the elevator operator, Clifton Perry. Four of the Hoskins’ daughters and the Hill’s daughter were severely injured.

Exterior street level façade renovated in 1935

Interior was renovated in late Streamline Modern style c. 1950, when the mezzanine was enclosed.

Hotel was marketed extensively as a fireproof building to entice guests to stay following hotel fires across the country. Des Moines had six major fires in 1912.

Original cornice was removed for safety concerns in 1950 but portions have been saved for future restoration.

Sherman & Assoc. (Minneapolis) has applied for a development agreement to create 55 market rate apartments and first floor commercial space for approx. $15 million to be completed late 2014 – early 2015.  Architect: substance. The two adjacent buildings will be renovated for retail.