Merwyn Hotel - Astoria, OR

EXPLORING THE MERWYN HOTEL
 Astoria, Oregon
December 11, 2014

In December 2014, I toured the Merwyn Hotel—a building that has remained vacant for over thirty years. Sadly, there have been efforts by Astoria's good-old-boys (and girls) to demolish this historic property. With no electrical power, and ambient light in the building ranging from bright to pitch-black, a good flashlight was a must.

History:

Located at 1067 Duane Street, the newly-constructed Merwyn Hotel opened for business in June 1926. Prior to construction, a common-wall agreement (dated 1/30/1923) was entered into between Merwyn Hotel owner Wenkebach and adjacent building owners—Astoria Savings Bank located at 1095 Duane Street (now the City Hall) and Elks Building at 453 Eleventh Street. In October 1929, the hotel was closed a short period for remodeling and refurbishing. At that time, the lobby was enlarged to its present size. In 1966, the Astoria City Library was constructed adjacent to the hotel. The name of the building was changed to the "Waldorf Hotel" in 1980, and its use converted to low-income housing. A small commercial space (1053 Duane Street) was created in the northwest corner of the building.  This area was used as the Astoria Senior Center for a few years in the 1980’s. The building has been vacant since 1989 when it was closed because of code violations and unhealthy conditions. In 2014, the Astoria City Council decided on a  renovation plan for the Astoria Public Library which involves the demolition of the Merwyn Hotel building. Preservationists are now fighting to save this historic building. 

Architecture & Construction:
The Merwyn Hotel building is one of the best examples of Late Commercial-style architecture with Renaissance detailing in downtown Astoria. With the exception of the arched canopy and entry doors that have been removed, the exterior is virtually intact. Rectangular in shape, the building is constructed of reinforced concrete, with a flat, built-up roof. The building covers the entirety of a 50’ x 100’ lot. Window types are fixed storefront in aluminum frames, fixed transom in wood, 6/1 double-hung wood windows and multi-pane steel casement windows.  The exterior surface of the building consists of brick veneer, stucco and unfinished concrete. The structural frame is reinforced concrete, and appears to be in good condition. The decorative features of the building include flat arched and multi-paned transoms. A street level facade, finished in stucco, has the appearance of stone. Plaster crests or shields are above the entry near the street level pilasters and below the cornice. The hotel has a 30’ x 40’ lobby on the first floor, and fifty-one guest rooms located on the second, third and fourth floors. The hotel is listed on the Astoria Downtown Historic District’s National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. It is characterized as retaining historic fabric and integrity reflecting the rebirth of Astoria's commercial district after the devastating fire of December 1922.

Additional Information on the Merwyn Hotel:
> Audio-visual presentation on saving the Merwyn Hotel building
> FaceBook: Save-The-Historic-Merwyn-Hotel
> Daily Astorian: Astoria Library Redo In Doubt (1/23/15)
> Daily Astorian: Will Astoria’s Waldorf Hotel Get Another Reprieve? (2/13/15)
> Daily Astorian - In One Ear: Merwyn Hotel, Inside Out (3/6/15)
> Video by Jeff Daly for the 2/14/15 Save The Merwyn Hotel Exhibit
> Audio File - Ted Osborn, architect, on Merwyn Hotel Renovation & Library Expansion Synergy (7.8 MB) *
> National Register of Historic Places Registration Form - Astoria Downtown Historic District*

* Currently Unavailable

Corrections or Additional Information:
Corrections to this blog, or additional information on the Merwyn Hotel, are welcomed. Please submit via e-mail or the Comment Section below.

Save the Merwyn:
The Merwyn Hotel building is historically, architecturally and aesthetically important to Astoria's Downtown Historic District.  To tear down the Merwyn would be ignorant and a crime. Astoria already has enough massive holes in the ground and sawed-off walls where buildings once stood.

Photographs:
All the photographs below are the property of Leon Jackson. They are protected by copyright laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Leon Jackson. Copyright 2015 Leon Jackson. All Rights Reserved.

- Click on Photos for a Larger Image -

Merwyn Hotel
Located in downtown Astoria between City Hall & the City Library.

Hotel Entrance

Exterior Architectural Detail

Cheers!
Empty glasses and champagne bottle gather dust on hotel registration desk.
[Flickr]

Hotel Lobby
The original registration desk, safe and mailboxes remain.
[Flickr]

Hotel Lobby & Registration Desk
[Flickr]

Hotel Lobby Entrance
The stairway goes to guest rooms on second, third and fourth floors.

Exploring With Flashlights
Northwest corner of the ground floor. Watch out for large holes cut in the floor—a quick way to the basement!

Flashlight Illuminated Fixtures
Toilets, sinks and radiators removed from the guest rooms are stored at the rear of the first floor.

Upper Floor Lobby & Elevator

Upper Floor Lobby

City and Columbia River Views
Many of the rooms have excellent views.
[Flickr]

Hotel Guest Room
Rooms facing north (Duane Street) have wonderful city and river views. The sink has been removed, and is stored on the first floor.

Flashlight Illuminated Guest Room Number
Much of the hotel was pitch-black.

Hotel Guest Room
This room faces the Astoria City Library.
[Flickr]

Shared Bathroom
Guest rooms shared a bathroom. Photo light source is a flashlight.
[Flickr]

View from Guest Room
This fourth floor room overlooks the City Library, Duane Street and Columbia River.

Basement
Light entering basement is from a hole cut in the ground-level floor. 

Boiler Illuminated by Flashlight
A Birchfield boiler is located in the basement.

Me & Jack Daniels
Guest Room Medicine Cabinet. The sink has been removed and stored on first floor.