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the history behind the historic washington d.c. hotel

Discover The Churchill Hotel, which has been a destination for many of Washington D.C.'s diplomats and dignitaries since 1906.

The Churchill Hotel Near Embassy Row was constructed at the dawn of the 20th century, in which the United States had started to emerge as a global superpower.

Located in Washington D.C., on fashionable Connecticut Avenue near Dupont Circle, The Churchill Hotel Near Embassy Row has been a destination for many of history’s household names since its inception in 1906. But its historic legacy isn’t the only reason The Churchill Hotel Near Embassy Row stands out amongst literally hundreds of hotel options. Over the years, this historic Washington, D.C. hotel has always preserved the ambiance of a luxury pre-war apartment on one of Washington’s most exclusive addresses: Connecticut Avenue.

The Churchill Hotel Near Embassy Row has recently undergone a round of restorations to rejuvenate its antique charm while keeping up-to-date with modern society’s continuously advancing technologies. With the hotel’s combined historic and modern feel, guests are able to stay comfortably while experiencing a touch of the past.

When this Beaux-Arts building opened as luxury apartments in 1906, it boasted “every convenience of a high-grade, modern hotel, in conjunction with the restful quietude and exclusiveness of a private residence.” Over 100 years have passed, and time has proven this claim to be accurate. The Churchill Hotel Near Embassy Row quickly became one of Washington’s most distinguished addresses and was home to a long list of diplomats, dignitaries, and politicians.

Image of Historian Stanley Turkel, Historic Hotels of America Image of Stanley Turkel's Book Built To Last: 100 Year Old Hotels East of the Mississippi, Historic Hotels of America.

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Nobody Asked Me, But...

Hotel History: The Churchill (1906), Washington, District of Columbia*

By Stanley Turkel, CMHS

Originally built as a luxury apartment building in 1906, the developers promised "every convenience of a modern hotel with the restful quietude and exclusiveness of a private residence." When it opened it was known as the "Highlands" at its exclusive Connecticut Avenue address. Construction costs totaled more than $200,000, an incredible sum for the time. Its proximity to Embassy Row and the capitol attracted many diplomats, dignitaries and politicians when it was an apartment house.

The Churchill apartment building was designed by the architect Arthur B. Heaton (1875-1951). Heaton designed more than 1,000 structures that included lavish apartment buildings, theaters and private mansions in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. When he opened his own office in 1898, Heaton designed four important apartment houses in the first two years of his practice, an impressive accomplishment for any aspiring architect. They included the Augusta (1900), the Marlborough (1901), the Montgomery (1901), and the Highlands (1902).

In 1955, the Highlands was sold to a group of investors who redesigned and renovated it into a luxury hotel. The inside rooms were gutted, but the outside structure remained. The Churchill Hotel now stands as a technologically advanced modern hotel with its same pre-war elegance. The character and charm of this historic Washington hotel is self-evident in its Beaux-Arts architecture. The eight-story structure is perfectly symmetrical and framed in stone. It has a unique frontcourt facing Connecticut Avenue and a circular driveway led up by a flight of stairs with a stone balustrade. These classic architectural elements are complemented inside the lobby by a host of modern amenities, creating one of the most unique hotels in America.

Guests and temporary residents have included diplomats, dignitaries, politicians, business travelers and prominent families. Visitors are attracted by the Churchill Hotel's location on Embassy Row and the nearby dining and cultural attractions. Not only is the hotel rich in heritage, but the Dupont Circle neighborhood itself is listed in the National Register of Historical Places. No matter how guests wish to spend their downtime, they will find a restaurant, café or club nearby at which to relax.

Convenient to three airports and blocks away from the Dupont Circle Metro, it's easy to get to the Churchill Hotel. With an upscale dining establishment, business center, fitness room and in-room spa services, the hard part is leaving. Churchill Hotel has just undergone renovations to maintain the beauty of its upscale, pristine design and gorgeous chandeliers. Now a full-service hotel, the destination offers the comfort of a well-designed home and almost every service you can imagine.

*excerpted from his book Built To Last: 100+ Year-Old Hotels East of the Mississippi

*****

About Stanley Turkel, CMHS

Stanley Turkel is a recognized consultant in the hotel industry. He operates his hotel consulting practice serving as an expert witness in hotel-related cases and providing asset management an and hotel franchising consultation. Prior to forming his hotel consulting firm, Turkel was the Product Line Manager for worldwide Hotel/Motel Operations at the International Telephone & Telegraph Co. overseeing the Sheraton Corporation of America. Before joining IT&T, he was the Resident Manager of the Americana Hotel (1842 Rooms), General Manager of the Drake Hotel (680 Rooms) and General Manager of the Summit Hotel (762 Rooms), all in New York City. He serves as a Friend of the Tisch Center and lectures at the NYU Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism. He is certified as a Master Hotel Supplier Emeritus by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. He served for eleven years as Chairman of the Board of the Trustees of the City Club of New York and is now the Honorary Chairman.

Stanley Turkel is one of the most widely-published authors in the hospitality field. More than 275 articles on various hotel subjects have been posted in hotel magazines and on the Hotel-Online, Blue MauMau, Hotel News Resource and eTurboNews websites. Two of his hotel books have been promoted, distributed and sold by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (Great American Hoteliers: Pioneers of the Hotel Industry and Built To Last: 100+ Year-Old Hotels East of the Mississippi). A third hotel book (Built To Last: 100+ Year-Old Hotels in New York) was called "passionate and informative" by the New York Times. Executive Vice President of Historic Hotels of America, Lawrence Horwitz, has even praised one book, Great American Hoteliers Volume 2: Pioneers of the Hotel Industry:

  • “If you have ever been in a hotel, as a guest, attended a conference, enjoyed a romantic dinner, celebrated a special occasion, or worked as a hotelier in the front or back of the house, Great American Hoteliers, Volume 2: Pioneers of the Hotel Industry is a must read book. This book is recommended for any business person, entrepreneur, student, or aspiring hotelier. This book is an excellent history book with insights into seventeen of the great innovators and visionaries of the hotel industry and their inspirational stories.”

Turkel was designated as the “2014 Historian of the Year by Historic Hotels of America,” the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This award is presented to an individual for making a unique contribution in the research and presentation of history and whose work has encouraged a wide discussion, greater understanding and enthusiasm for American History.

Works published by Stanley Turkel include:

Most of these books can be ordered from AuthorHouse—(except Heroes of the American Reconstruction, which can be ordered from McFarland)—by visiting www.stanleyturkel.com, or by clicking on the book’s title.