Allen Hotel

The Allen Hotel is a five-story building in downtown Pittsfield with buff yellow brick and marble trim. The front shows a decorated cornice with modillions and multipart windows, though the interior has been adapted for uses other than lodging.

The building was erected in 1915 by developer Louis Larouche with architect Joseph McArthur Vance designing the structure. It replaced an earlier structure that had stood on land once belonging to Reverend Thomas Allen.

The building shapes the look of Park Square Historic District and reflects how commerce developed in Massachusetts during the early 1900s. You can see on the facade the crafted details that make structures from this period stand out from what came later.

The building sits on Wendell Avenue Extension near East Street in the historic downtown area. You can view it from the street and experience how it contributes to the overall character of the surrounding plaza.

The structure blends Renaissance Revival design elements with modern steel and masonry construction methods. This mix shows how building techniques were shifting at the start of the 1900s toward stronger, more flexible approaches.

Location: Pittsfield

Inception: 1915

Architects: Joseph McArthur Vance

Part of: Park Square Historic District

GPS coordinates: 42.44861,-73.25250

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:03