Multnomah Hotel, hotel and historic building in Portland, Oregon, U.S
The Multnomah Hotel is a large Renaissance Revival building from 1912 in Portland, Oregon, with ornate architectural details and classical forms throughout its structure. Inside, grand public spaces feature high ceilings, decorative moldings, a mezzanine overlooking the front desk, and spacious ballrooms originally designed for large gatherings and events.
The hotel opened in 1912 as the largest and most modern in the region, attracting thousands of visitors on its first day. It faced financial setbacks during the Panic of 1913 but was revived by new owners who renovated it, until it transitioned to government office use in the 1960s.
The hotel served as Portland's main gathering place for decades, where locals and visitors came together for celebrations and important events. You can still see the grand public rooms and banquet halls that made it the heart of the city's social life.
The building is located downtown and is easily accessible on foot, with clear entrances and public areas that visitors can explore. It is best visited during daytime to fully appreciate the architecture and interior spaces, particularly the decorative details in the lobbies and grand halls.
A remarkable moment in its history occurred in 1912 when pilot Silas Christofferson flew a small aircraft with a rear propeller from the hotel's rooftop in front of thousands of spectators. This extraordinary feat was repeated more than 80 years later in 1995, making the rooftop a noteworthy site in early aviation history.
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