by Chan Boswell

Plymouth On Stewart

Previously known as the Hotel Archibald, Plymouth on Stewart was opened in 1909 following the regrade of Denny Hill and during a period of economic prosperity, the Klondike Gold Rush. The Archibald was advertised both as a hotel for longer term tenancy and as a fireproof building. Architect Warren H. Milner’s designs included a U-shape structure with stairwells at each wing of the building.

In 1916, the Hotel Archibald was renamed St. Regis and was operating under new management. Following the Great Depression, hotels were used as the hotels like the St. Regis were used as temporary boarding for low-income populations. After a fire in 1970, St. Regis was forced to close, further displacing suffering populations in the downtown area. It remained closed until its purchase and extensive renovations by Plymouth Housing in 2005.

St. Charles Apartments

The St. Charles, originally called the Rector Hotel, was designed by famous architect John Graham The building was a gift from Amos Brown to his son, Alson Lennon Brown.  Originally slated as an upscale tourist hotel, the Rector Hotel ended up a more modest building after major revisions and renovations were made during the hotel’s development in 1913. The Hotel Rector opened in 1918 was and still is well-known for its Beaux-Arts styled lobby which opened into the neighboring Grand Opera House. The hotel continued to operate as a low-income residential hotel until a fire in 1970 required it to close. It was taken over by Plymouth Housing who completed substantial renovations in 1999.