Page 32 - A Narrative of the History of Roanoke Virginia

The original structure was a rambling wooden structure of about 30 rooms. As the
city and the fortunes of the railroad grew, N&W consistently provided resources for
hotel additions, remodeling and furnishings to maintain the Hotel's reputation for
excellence.

Original architects and builders that contributed to the earliest iteration of the
“Grand Dame” included George B. Post and Sons of New York. He was the sixth
president of The American Institute of Architects. Among the prominent private
houses by Post were the French chateau for Cornelius Vanderbilt II (1879–82) that
once stood at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street (that was photographed by Albert
Levy while being built), and the palazzo that faced it across the street, for Collis P.
Huntington (1889–94). In Newport, Rhode Island he built for the president of
the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, C.C. Baldwin, "Chateau-Nooga"

He also designed more staid public and semi-public structures such as the New
York Stock Exchange Building, the Bronx Borough Hall and the Wisconsin State
Capitol.

Also on the ‘team’ was the firm of Small, Smith and Reeb with a number of others
that contributed their specialties on the various phases and unique range of talents,
whether it be accouterments, room design, landscaping or entrances.

Knut W. Lind. A.I.A.. a partner with the New York city-based architectural firm of
George B. Post & Sons was instrumental in the overall design and concept of the
Hotel. The firm had been established in 1860 and was known for, among other
things, its role in "evolving the standard American hotel plan with a bath in every
room." The firm's Roanoke project replaced the hotel's original 1882 lobby and
west wing that had been extensively remodeled and reconstructed in 1890.
damaged by fire in 1898, and rebuilt in 1899.

Through the years, from 1882, involved George T. Pearson; 1931 northeast wing;
1938 west wing, Knut W. Lind of George B. Post and Sons; A. A. Farnham,
landscape architect; 1947 east wing and 1955 west wing alterations, Small, Smith
and Reeb; 1995 rehabilitation and conference center, Clark, Tribble, Harris and Li
Architects; 1995 landscaping, David Hill. 110 Shenandoah Ave.

Even in the Depression year of 1931, the railroad spent $225,000 for a wing with
75 rooms, a 60-car garage and such "modern" amenities as circulating ice water,
movable telephones and electric fans. By then the Hotel's "Queen Anne"
appearance had evolved into something Tudorean, the finishing touches of which
were added in the major alterations of 1937-38, when Hotel Roanoke acquired its
distinctive facade and entrance. Added too were new public rooms, most of which
today's guests will recognize.

This famous resort was opened in October, 1882, and while the original edifice
was to boast 30 rooms, it subsequently contained of from forty-five to fifty rooms,