- Albert Pike Residence Hotel
Infobox_nrhp | name =Pike, Albert, Hotel
nrhp_type =
caption =The Albert Pike Residence Hotel.
location=Little Rock, Arkansas
lat_degrees = 34 | lat_minutes = 44 | lat_seconds = 30.28 | lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 92 | long_minutes = 16 | long_seconds = 11.39 | long_direction = W
locmapin = Arkansas
area =
built =1929
architect= Stern,Eugene John; Mann,George R.
architecture= Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Mission/spanish Revival
added =November 21 ,1978
governing_body = Private
refnum=78000625 cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]The Albert Pike Residence Hotel is a historic building in
Little Rock, Arkansas .The
hotel was built in 1929 by the Farrell Hotel Company at an approximate cost of $1,000,000. It was designed by architect Eugene John Stern in the Italian-Spanish Revival style. The two main wings are eight stories each, and extend out towards Scott Street. These two wings are connected across the back by a ten story cross section. Decorated stone pediments extend above the roof line in the center of each wing. The cloister type porch graces the main entries which are flanked by triple arched leaded-glass windows. Above the entries areterra cotta medallions featuring heraldic shields with the initials "AP". The elaborate decor includes detailed stenciling, leaded and stained glass windows, extensive decorative tile, iron work, and ornate light fixtures. Thecoffered ceiling in the two story main lobby is overlooked by an open mezzanine floor that contains fine antique furnishings, including a custom made Hazelton Bros.grand piano , designed to match the building's interior structural features.The hotel is named after one of Arkansas' leading historical figures,
Albert Pike , a teacher, attorney, newspaperman, Confederate Brigadier General, and later a judge of theArkansas Supreme Court . The building was a hotel from its construction in 1928 (opening in 1929) until December 1971, when the Second Baptist Church assumed ownership and began its Albert Pike Residence Hotel ministry. The purpose was to provide a family retirement community that was happy and uplifting.In 1976 the hotel secured a Section 231 loan for $2,400,000 from the
Department of Housing and Urban Development . This made possible the renovation of the hotel infrastructure bringing it up to current fire and safety standards.The Albert Pike Hotel was entered into the
National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior in 1978. A grant from the Historical Preservation Society helped to restore the public and community areas to their original condition.In late 1985, the hotel was purchased by a privately held corporation in
Jonesboro, Arkansas . Since that time continuous upgrades, such as the addition of kitchen facilities, were made in efficiency, one, and two bedroom apartments. The apartments were created where two hotel rooms had connecting doors. Non connecting rooms are studio apartments withmicrowave -refrigerator combo units.The North Lounge was restored in 1994 and was made a smoke free environment. It provides a common activities room, television lounge, post office boxes, and library. Regular events are held to inform residents of health and community services available in the area, as well as weekly bingo, monthly birthday parties, and special occasion and holiday parties.
References
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