1937
marks the year the Statler company makes its comeback.
Plans for two new hotels are made. The operating
lease for the William Penn in Pittsburgh is secured
and planning begins on a new hotel in Washington
D.C.
Meanwhile,
Detroit and Cleveland are targeted for massive
renovations. The older decor, with its dark thick
carpets, heavy furniture, and woodpaneling is
old fashioned and worn out. The guest rooms all
receive a modern treatment with bright colored
carpets and paintjobs. The furniture is stripped
and given a light stain. Modern artwork and other
decorative flourishes are installed.
Another
modification to the guest rooms are studio beds.
Studio beds are beds that function as beds at
night but in the day are arranged as sofas. Thus
the guest room is a spacious parlor. They become
extremely popular for their comfort and practical
design. Such beds are installed in the other Statlers,
and eventually other hotels.
The
most significant change occurs on the ground floor.
The Washington Blvd. side is completely reconfigured.
The magnificent Grill and Men's Cafe are removed.
Their wood paneling goes into new meeting rooms
on the ballroom floor. Their former space becomes
a shopping arcade done in the "modern classical
style". The space in the 1916 addition, then
occupied by retail, is converted into two modern
restaurants. These rooms appeal to the current
taste of big band music and dance. They are called
the Terrace Room and Lounge Bar. They become famous
throughout the world as hot nightclubs. For nearly
three decades bands will fight for a chance to
perform here.
The
glass storefronts of the lower floors of the 1916
addition are replaced by a stone facade which
matches that of the original structure.
At
this time the main dining room becomes the Cafe
Rouge and a full service Cafeteria is installed
in the basement.
Another
important addition is air conditioning to the
public rooms. Thus the Detroit Statler becomes
the first hotel in the world to offer air conditioning.
The
architectural work for these changes is done by
Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls. Louis Rorimer supervises
the decorations. The firm of Jerome A. Utley is
the general contractor.
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