Hotel St. Clair Apartments

Built-in 1911 as a state-of-the-art hospital and later converted into an upscale boutique hotel, this near east side landmark—just blocks from downtown Columbus, Ohio—has a rich history, beautiful architecture, and a touch of celebrity.

Early 1900s | Hospital

The Saint Clair Hospital, designed by architect Jacob Goldsmith, was a community hospital from 1911 to 1948, serving primarily the immigrant laborers on the Pennsylvania Railroad junction. Many of the original features of the hospital are still preserved to this day, such as the nursing station arch, the mahogany wood door frames, and the white tile flooring where the operating room used to be.

The Jazz Era | Hotel

In 1948, the building was purchased by Zelpha and William Garrett, an African-American couple living in the neighborhood, who together converted it into a swanky, upscale hotel. Operating as a hotel for almost thirty years, it boasted luxurious amenities such as central air conditioning, elevator, dining room service, cocktail lounges, valet, and telegraph service. The hotel was frequented by numerous well-known entertainers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington’s band, Count Basie, James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., and Della Reese.

-Hotel St. Clair Apartments website : https://www.hotelstclairapts.com/history