Ponce de León Hotel, National Historic Landmark hotel in St. Augustine, United States
The Ponce de León Hotel is a former luxury resort with Andalusian ornamentation and walls cast from local shell-rock aggregate in St. Augustine, Florida. Its four main towers enclose courtyards planted with palms and framed by arcaded walkways, while the balconies feature wrought-iron railings.
Henry Flagler commissioned the construction between 1885 and 1887 as part of his vision to transform Florida into a winter destination for wealthy northern guests. The railway connection reached the city at the same time as the hotel opening, bringing numerous visitors.
The hotel established an artist colony with dedicated studios, attracting numerous American painters during the late nineteenth century.
The building now houses Flagler College, whose campus is open for guided tours that provide access to the main hall and dining rooms. Visitors should note that during term time, certain areas remain reserved for students.
The windows in the dining hall come from the workshops of Louis Comfort Tiffany and display floral patterns with richly worked glass. Their installation took place directly during the construction phase, making them among the earliest commercial commissions of this kind in America.
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