Davenport Hotel's Rich History
A century of memorable stays
The Historic Davenport Hotel opened in 1914 as a destination in its own right. It was to be a place where guests could experience a singular combination of world-class service, palatial splendor and inviting warmth. Constructed under the auspices of Louis Davenport, The Historic Davenport Hotel has served as a beacon of culture and refinement throughout the region for the better part of a century.
In 2002, after the hotel narrowly escaped demolition, Walt and Karen Worthy completed a multimillion-dollar restoration. No expense was spared in restoring its priceless glamour as a regional landmark and masterpiece of the acclaimed architect Kirtland Cutter. During the renovation, the hand-painted frescoes, ornate woodwork and European-inspired marble were all meticulously restored, including the genuine gold leaf around the lobby hearth and the year-round lit fireplace – both hallmarks of Davenport hospitality since the hotel opened its doors a century ago. Grand rooms like the Spanish Renaissance lobby or the Hall of Doges, Spokane’s oldest and most exquisite ballroom, draw tourists and architectural aficionados alike. Such extraordinary features have helped The Historic Davenport Hotel earn a prized spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Explore the details that made The Historic Davenport Hotel The Pride of an Empire.
The Davenport Hotel: Grand Again
The Historic Davenport Hotel, was the most modern hostelry in the United States when it opened in 1914. It was the first hotel with air conditioning, a pipe organ, a central vacuum system, housekeeping carts and accordion ballroom doors. Unfortunately, it was shut down in 1985 before local entrepreneurs Walt and Karen Worthy bought the hotel in 2000 and set about making it grand again.
A History of Modernity
The Historic Davenport Hotel’s cutting-edge approach to hospitality hasn’t faded over the years. In fact, it can be counted among the world’s greenest, most energy-efficient buildings. In 2011, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awarded LEED® Certification to The Historic Davenport Hotel and The Davenport Tower, making it the only hotel in the state of Washington to obtain Gold status of this prestigious rating system.
