The Niagara
Encyclopedia
The Niagara, also known as Grand Hotel Niagara is a landmark hotel in Niagara Falls
, Niagara County, New York
. At 12 stories, it was designed by noted Buffalo architects Esenwein and Johnson
and considered a skyscraper when it was built between 1923 to 1925. Located 1/4 mile from the Horsehoe Falls, it is one block from the Seneca Niagara Casino
. It has nearly 200 guest rooms as well as convention facilities. Over time it has been known by various names including The Hotel Niagara; John's Niagara Hotel; Park's Inn; International; Days Inn-Falls View; and Travelodge Niagara Falls.
It was reportedly the home of Marilyn Monroe
and Joe DiMaggio
while filming Niagara in 1952. The property was closed for renovations for several years, while none took place. In 2010, the property was foreclosed by the State Bank of Texas after the owners, Amidee Hotels & Resorts, defaulted on mortgage payments. The building was condemned by the Niagara Falls Department of Code Enforcement after the heating system failed, which caused water pipes in the building to burst. The city shut off the water when this happened, leaving the building without running water or a functional sprinkler system, which constitutes several code violations.
In April of 2011, the property was sold at a foreclosure auction for $1,250,000 to Jamil Kara, a developer from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
. He has told the Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Gazette
that he plans to build a five-star hotel and condominium.
In September of 2011, the hotel changed hands once again after Toronto developer Harry Stinson
arranged to buy the building from Kara for an undisclosed amount. Stinson announced that he plans to bring the hotel back to it's original look with an emphasis on 1920's design with a few new added facilities. His company, Stinson Developments , has estimated that they will finish by late 2012.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 2008.
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
, Niagara County, New York
Niagara County, New York
Niagara County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 216,469. The county seat is Lockport. The county name is from the Iroquois word Onguiaahra; meaning the strait or thunder of waters. It is the location of Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara, and...
. At 12 stories, it was designed by noted Buffalo architects Esenwein and Johnson
James A. Johnson (architect)
James Addison Johnson was a Buffalo, New York architect known for his design of various architectural landmarks and his use of decorative work that many consider a foreshadowing of art deco design....
and considered a skyscraper when it was built between 1923 to 1925. Located 1/4 mile from the Horsehoe Falls, it is one block from the Seneca Niagara Casino
Seneca Niagara Casino
Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel is a casino located in Niagara Falls, New York and was built to compete with Casino Niagara and Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario...
. It has nearly 200 guest rooms as well as convention facilities. Over time it has been known by various names including The Hotel Niagara; John's Niagara Hotel; Park's Inn; International; Days Inn-Falls View; and Travelodge Niagara Falls.
It was reportedly the home of Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
and Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio , nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper," was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak , a record that still stands...
while filming Niagara in 1952. The property was closed for renovations for several years, while none took place. In 2010, the property was foreclosed by the State Bank of Texas after the owners, Amidee Hotels & Resorts, defaulted on mortgage payments. The building was condemned by the Niagara Falls Department of Code Enforcement after the heating system failed, which caused water pipes in the building to burst. The city shut off the water when this happened, leaving the building without running water or a functional sprinkler system, which constitutes several code violations.
In April of 2011, the property was sold at a foreclosure auction for $1,250,000 to Jamil Kara, a developer from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He has told the Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
Gazette
Niagara Gazette
The Niagara Gazette is a morning daily newspaper published in Niagara Falls, New York, USA, which covers several towns and villages of Niagara County, including Niagara, and the City of Niagara Falls. It was bought by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., along with other area newspapers such as the...
that he plans to build a five-star hotel and condominium.
In September of 2011, the hotel changed hands once again after Toronto developer Harry Stinson
Harry Stinson
Harry Stinson , born in Toronto and educated at the University of Toronto Schools, is a high-profile real estate developer from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is president of Stinson Properties, Inc. He has been called Toronto's "condo king"...
arranged to buy the building from Kara for an undisclosed amount. Stinson announced that he plans to bring the hotel back to it's original look with an emphasis on 1920's design with a few new added facilities. His company, Stinson Developments , has estimated that they will finish by late 2012.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 2008.