Omni Shoreham Hotel History

The Omni Shoreham hotel is not the only famous hotel in Washington DC. The Willard Intercontinental hotel also has distinct architecture, history and presence in the nation’s capital. In 1816, the famous real estate tycoon Benjamin Tayloe built six row houses on the property. He later sold the property to Joshua Tenninson, who turned the houses into a hotel. It was not until 1847 until the Willard Hotel was founded. Henry Willard and Joseph Edwin tore down the houses along with adjacent properties to create a four story hotel which opened in 1853 (“What Is the Design”). After a decade of being in business, they had larger plans for the hotel. They hired Henry Janeway Hardenbergh to design the new Willard Hotel. His inspiration came from the

Both the Omni Shoreham Hotel and the Willard Intercontinental hosted the prominent and elite in Washington DC. The Omni Shoreham hosted DC’s best and brightest in the mid 1900’s. The hotel has held famous entertainers in the Blue Room and Marquee Bar. Some of these people include Aretha Franklin, Bill Cosby, Tony Bennet, John and Jackie Kennedy and Liza Minelli. Additionally many government senators, congressman and diplomats have stayed here. The height of the hotel was on the night on March 4, 1933. It was here and then that Franklin D Roosevelt held his first inaugural ball. This trend continues within the twentieth century and the hotel hosted the presidents’ inaugural balls. President Harry S Truman would also come to the hotel for poker games with Senator Stuart Syminton. But, the hotel hosted more than just political guests. The ‘Hail to the Redskins’ Washington Redskins fight song was written and debuted in the Blue Room on August 17, 1938. (“Washington”). In other music news, in 1964, the Beatles booked the entire seventh floor while giving a concert in Washington

They are both prominent hotels in the Washington DC area. The Omni Shoreham and Willard Intercontinental hotel both have rich and prominent history. They hosted the most prominent political and social members of their respective decade. Both places served as venues for historic events. Additionally, each building has been remolded and restored to highlight and honor the hotels’ rich past and characteristics. Additionally, both hotels’ were trend setters in regards to the architecture style; they each were on the fore front of the trend and prompted other buildings to be built in the same style. Art Deco and Beaux Art architecture styles utilize symmetry, which both hotels have on the exterior and interior. Both the Omni Shoreham and Willard Intercontinental represent a distinct decade of DC and America’s culture and