St. James Hotel, listed on the NRHP
The St. James Hotel is a 12-story building in central Philadelphia that combines different architectural styles in its design. Built by architect Horace Trumbauer starting in 1901 with an expansion in 1904, the structure occupies approximately 8,400 square feet of land and features a steel-frame construction.
Built in 1901-1902 as an innovative luxury residential building, it was enlarged in 1904 to add more apartments as demand grew. Over the decades, it transitioned from a residence for wealthy families to a hotel, then underwent various uses including office space, before gaining National Register status in 1976.
The building was originally designed as a luxury apartment residence for wealthy families, a novel concept for Philadelphia in the early 1900s. Its location near libraries, social clubs, and the business district made it the preferred address for active and prosperous residents.
The building sits on busy Walnut Street in the central business district, easily accessible from many important city locations. Visitors should be aware that the exterior shows signs of wear, so caution is advised when walking past the structure.
In 1938, this building was the first hotel in Philadelphia to have air conditioning, a remarkable comfort for its time. This innovation helped it remain a preferred destination for guests during the early twentieth century.
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