The Drury Hotel: A Former Hospital?

was the drury hotel a former hospital

The Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is located in a building that once served as St. Vincent's Hospital for 20 years from the 1950s to 1977. The building, designed by prominent local architect John Gaw Meem, showcases the late Territorial Revival style. The Drury Hotels company purchased the former hospital buildings in 2007 and is planning to renovate the site, including the historic Marian Hall, which was built in 1910 as a sanitarium for tuberculosis patients.

Characteristics Values
Renovation The Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe, located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe on Palace Avenue, is undergoing renovation.
History of the building The building was constructed in 1910 as a sanitarium for tuberculosis patients and was known as St. Vincent's Hospital. It was operated by the Sisters of Charity, who came to New Mexico to help treat the sick.
Purchase by Drury Hotels Drury Hotels purchased the former hospital buildings in 2007 for over $20 million.
Renovation plans The renovation will include the historic Marian Hall, creating about 40 additional rooms. The project will require several exceptions to historic district building codes.
Drury Hotels' approach to historic buildings Drury Hotels aims to breathe new life into historic buildings, restoring them into vibrant spaces that celebrate their unique stories and rich history.

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Marian Hall: A former tuberculosis sanitarium, now a hotel

The Drury Hotels chain has a history of restoring historic buildings, converting them into vibrant hotels that celebrate their unique stories and rich history. One such project involves the former tuberculosis sanitarium, Marian Hall, which the company purchased in 2007 for over $20 million.

Marian Hall, built in 1910, is located in downtown Santa Fe, adjacent to Cathedral Park and the St. Francis Cathedral. For decades, rest was the primary treatment for tuberculosis, a highly infectious lung disease, until effective medications were developed in the 1940s. New Mexico, with its purported healing climate, became a popular destination for those suffering from the disease.

The building has been largely vacant for over two decades, but Drury Hotels plans to renovate it, adding around 40 new rooms to the existing Drury Plaza Hotel. The project was presented to the city's Historic Districts Review Board, and while it has not yet been formally approved, it is designated as significant under city historic ordinances, meaning its facades will need to be largely preserved.

Tiho Dimitrov of Dimitrov Design Studios, who presented the project on behalf of Drury Hotels, said, "We are doing our best to not disturb the historic fabric, but also we have to make it work for the new use." This renovation project is part of Drury Hotels' commitment to restoring historic buildings and creating spaces that communities can take pride in for years to come.

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St. Vincent's Hospital: Former hospital, now Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe

The Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe was formerly St. Vincent's Hospital. The building, designed by prominent local architect John Gaw Meem, is an example of the late Territorial Revival style. The hospital operated from 1957 until 1977, when it became home to the offices of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. The site was also used as a movie set and as offices for the New Mexico Film Commission.

The Drury Hotels chain purchased the property in 2007 for over $20 million, intending to renovate and restore the building. The site included the former St. Vincent's Hospital and the adjacent Marian Hall, a former tuberculosis sanitarium built in 1910. The Drury Plaza Hotel planned to renovate Marian Hall, adding approximately 40 new rooms to its existing site. The project required approval from the city's Historic Districts Review Board, as the building is designated "significant" under city historic ordinances, and any changes must preserve its facades.

The Drury Hotels chain is known for its focus on restoring historic buildings and celebrating their unique stories and rich history. The company was founded by the sons of Lambert Drury, a farmer who lost his farm during the Great Depression. The Drury family built its first hotel in 1962 and started the Drury Hotels chain in 1973.

The former St. Vincent's Hospital in Santa Fe is an excellent example of the chain's commitment to preserving historic architecture while providing modern comforts and amenities for its guests. The building's late Territorial Revival style is a testament to the talent of architect John Gaw Meem and his influence on Santa Fe's architectural style. The successful renovation of the hospital into a thriving hotel helps boost the local economy and creates a space that the community can take pride in.

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Sisters of Charity: Operated the first hospital in the building

The Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was formerly St. Vincent's Hospital. The building was purchased by Drury Hotels in 2007 for over $20 million. The site was used as a hospital from 1886 until 1977.

In the 1910s, a portion of the property was a dormitory for the Sisters of Charity. The Sisters of Charity were invited to New Mexico by Bishop Lamy to help treat the sick by opening hospitals in the area. The first hospital they opened was in the Old Seminary, a building that Lamy sold to them in 1865. They continued to run hospitals in the area until the mid-1900s.

By the 1950s, the Sisters of Charity had run out of room and wanted to build another hospital. They selected John Gaw Meem, a prominent local architect, to draw up the plans. The primary facade of the current building is from this period and is an excellent example of late Territorial Revival style.

The hospital remained in the building until 1977, when it became home to the offices of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. The site was also used as a movie set and served as offices for the New Mexico Film Commission.

Drury Hotels' renovation of the building uncovered the foundations of the Sisters of Charity's original buildings. The company is committed to preserving the historic fabric of the building while adapting it for its new use.

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Drury Hotels: Bought the former hospital buildings in 2007

Drury Hotels is an American hospitality company that operates a chain of mid-scale limited-service hotels. It was founded by the sons of Lambert Drury, a farmer who lost his farm during the Great Depression. The Drury Development Corporation was founded in 1959, and the family built its first hotel, a Holiday Inn, in 1962 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Drury Hotels company was established in 1973, and they built their first Drury Inn in Sikeston, Missouri.

In 2007, Drury Hotels purchased the former St. Vincent Hospital site in Santa Fe for over $20 million. The site, located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe on Palace Avenue, was adjacent to St. Francis Cathedral. The primary facade of the building is from the 1950s when it served as St. Vincent's Hospital, designed by prominent local architect John Gaw Meem in the late Territorial Revival style. The building has a rich history, having been used for various purposes before becoming a hospital in the 1950s. It was first built as a dormitory for the Sisters of Charity in the 1910s and then became a rectory for Archbishop Jean Baptiste Lamy in the late 1800s.

The former hospital building, known as Marian Hall, was constructed in 1910 and served as a sanitarium for tuberculosis patients. It had been largely vacant for two decades before Drury Hotels purchased it. The company planned to renovate and expand the building, adding approximately 40 new rooms to the existing Drury Plaza Hotel. The project required careful consideration to preserve the historic fabric of the building, which is designated as significant under city historic ordinances.

Drury Hotels has a history of renovating and restoring historic buildings, and the St. Vincent Hospital site was no exception. The company began researching the history of the property and hired archaeologists to investigate before starting any construction. They uncovered the foundations of the Sisters of Charity buildings and carefully considered the environmental impact of their renovation plans. Drury Hotels' approach to historic renovations involves celebrating the unique stories and rich history of the buildings while creating vibrant spaces that boost local economies and provide value to the communities they serve.

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Renovation: Historic building codes must be considered

The Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe has a history of renovation and restoration. The site was previously home to St. Vincent's Hospital, which was established in the Old Seminary building by the Sisters of Charity in the 1860s. The hospital remained in operation until the mid-1900s. The current main building of the Drury Plaza Hotel was constructed in the 1950s as St. Vincent's Hospital, designed by prominent local architect John Gaw Meem in the late Territorial Revival style. The hospital occupied the building until 1977, after which it became offices for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and was used as a movie set.

Drury Hotels purchased the property in 2007, intending to restore the beloved but dilapidated structure. Archaeologists were engaged to survey the site, and the foundations of the Sisters of Charity buildings were uncovered. The Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe is now located on this historically significant site, adjacent to the St. Francis Cathedral, which was constructed between 1869 and 1886 by Archbishop Jean Baptiste Lamy.

The Drury Hotels chain has a history of renovating and restoring historic buildings, transforming them into vibrant spaces that honour their unique stories and cultural heritage. This commitment to preservation is evident in their plans for the former St. Vincent's Hospital site, now known as Marian Hall, a former tuberculosis sanitarium. Marian Hall, constructed in 1910, has been vacant for over two decades, and Drury Hotels intends to renovate it to create approximately 40 additional rooms.

However, the renovation of Marian Hall presents a unique challenge due to its designation as "significant" under city historic ordinances. This designation mandates the preservation of the building's facades during the renovation process. Tiho Dimitrov of Dimitrov Design Studios, who presented the project on behalf of Drury Hotels, emphasised the need to balance historical preservation with the new use of the building. The project requires several exceptions to the historic district building codes, and the company has yet to formally seek approval for the work.

Renovation of historic buildings, such as Marian Hall, necessitates careful consideration of relevant building codes and regulations. Historic building codes aim to preserve the architectural integrity and cultural significance of structures. These codes guide the renovation process to ensure that any changes or modifications are sympathetic to the original design and character of the building. In the case of Marian Hall, the historic building codes will influence the preservation of the facades and the overall approach to adapting the structure for its new use.

Adhering to historic building codes during renovation ensures that the historical and architectural value of a structure is maintained or, if possible, enhanced. It involves respecting the original design, materials, and construction techniques while also integrating modern functionality and amenities. By considering these codes, renovations can strike a delicate balance between preservation and adaptation, creating spaces that honour the past while serving the needs of the present. This careful approach to renovation ensures that historic buildings can continue to contribute to their communities, providing a link to the past while remaining relevant and accessible.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe was formerly St. Vincent's Hospital.

The building was a hospital until 1977, after which it housed the offices of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. Drury Hotels bought the property in 2007 and began renovations.

The building was constructed in the 1910s and served as a dormitory for the Sisters of Charity. In the 1950s, prominent architect John Gaw Meem designed the primary facade in the Territorial Revival style.

The Sisters of Charity played a significant role in treating the sick in New Mexico, running hospitals in the area until the mid-1900s. The building's history as a hospital and its architectural style contribute to its significance and the community's desire to see it restored.

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