Overview

Building History

This four-story, brick-faced hotel was financed by the Pacific Brewing and Malting Company; the hotel's opening was reported by the Tacoma Daily Ledger on 06/27/1909 (p.37). It was placed up for sale in 1942 and 1947.

During its roughly 60 years in operation, the Avenue Hotel and its tenants had a checkered history. During Prohibition, Tacoma Police raided the bar at the hotel, Teddy's Retreat, in early 08/1922, for violating Prohibition laws. In 07/1942, state authorities closed down gambling operations going on at the B and L Club, owned by Bud Gamble. The Tacoma New Tribune reported that the owner of an amusement center in the Avenue Hotel, Leon Sides, paid police $600 to ignore illegal operations there. On 08/11/1952 and 10/24/1952, the Tacoma New Tribunestated that Jack's Billiard Parlor in the buildinghad been robbed for the 8th and 9th times, respectively. On 4/26/1957, the paper noted the suicide of someone at the hotel who jumped from an upper floor.

Building Notes

The building had two first floor storefronts at 1207 and 1209 Pacific Avenue. Its upper three floors had the same fenestration pattern, four pairs of double-hung windows. The outer two windows on each side of the top three stories had elaborate, terra cotta moldings surrounding them. The parapet was ornamented by an ornate cornice.

In c. 1927, the Avenue Hotel had the Tivoli Cafe/Tavern operating in a first floor street-front at 1207 Pacific Avenue.

Demolition

The Avenue Hotel was torn down c. 1968.

PCAD id: 20036