Hotel Lafayette - Table of Contents
Hotel Lafayette - Table of Contents
Hotel Lafayette
April 24, 2012 Tour conducted by Owner Rocco Termini
AUDIO
Part of the Center for the Study of Art, Architecture, History and Nature Noon Hour Lectures
Lobby Art Deco terrazzo floor. The 1903 French Renaissance Revival style lobby was remodeled in 1940 into a then current Art Deco style. The lobby will remain Art Deco in the current restoration because it has taken on 72 years of historic significance.  Art Deco style style balustrade |
Pan American Grill & Brewery (Former Tap Room, off the lobby facing Washington Street)
"The Lafayette Tap room was originally three spaces; a bar and
restaurant, and a cocktail lounge connected by a foyer.The entire
space was originally a billiard room but was converted to a bar at the
end of Prohibition.
"Extending into what was once the coffee shop of the Hotel Lafayette, the Pan American Grill will now have seating on ground level and in a mezzanine that will overlook the dining space and have a great view of the performance area." - Jackie Abarella's Blog  October 26, 2011 photo  Bar and mezzanine ceiling (added in 2012) at left.  Cove ceiling  Coffered panels feature cartouches   |
| Lounge
"This was originally a lounge, a place to gather for a drink while
staying at the hotel. At one end the wall was covered in a large mirror
and there were leather benches in front of it. This space is off of the
main hallway and can be accessed from the lobby.
"A new decorative wall has been added, which will be the entrance to this lounge. The space is tucked into the side of the main hallway" - Jackie Abarella's Blog  Art Deco style.  Art Deco style geometric frieze  Original 1940 Art Deco style light fixtures |
 Scagliola  Scagliola  Mosaic floor with Classical geometric fret design  Ribbon-and-reed molding  Note fleur-de-lis stained glass motif - appropriate since the building was designed in French Renaissance Revival style, and the fleur-de-lis is the official symbol for France. |
| Grand Ballroom
"The ballroom is the largest public space in the Lafayette. This
space was added during the 1916-1917 addition. The ballroom is
long, and is unobstructed by any columns because there are no
rooms above it. The ceiling has large beams supported by pilasters
along the side walls. There were three small windows boarded up which
have now been reopened to their original size.
"Damage to the ceiling was extensive. The plaster beams were removed, the damaged ones replaced, and a new system was put in place to support the new beams and ceiling. Unlike the floors in other areas of the hotel, the floor in the ballroom is wooden. One speculation is that when this addition was built, the owners could not afford a tile floor and used the cheaper covering of hardwood." - Jackie Abarella's Blog  October 26, 2011 photo  October 26, 2011 photo   Dentils ... Fluted pilasters ... Festoons  2012 replica crystal chandeliers  Patera ... Festoons ... Ribbons  Dentil molding ... Corinthian pilaster features fluting and bell flowers (chandelles) ... Festoons ... Ribbons   Ceiling medallion |
Crystal Ballroom    Paneled pilaster  Gilded Corinthian column  Palmette above pilaster |
| 1903 Room (Originally the Automobile Club Room; there was an Auto Club logo on the exterior))          Capital: Egg-and-dart ... Stylized guttae |
  Broken pediment with urn  Modillions support broken pediment ... Egg-and-dart  Rosettes  Leaded glass windows |
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