Lewiston Hotel
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Next to the Frontier Restaurant in the Belltown area of Seattle is the Lewiston Hotel and this blade neon sign. According to various sources, the Lewiston Hotel has been around since 1990. 08-09
Walking through Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, it's easy to spot the old Lewiston Hotel blade sign hanging above First Avenue. Even if you never noticed the building, the vintage lettering is enough to make you stop and look. 08-09
Despite what some older sources have said, the building has been around far longer than the 1990s. It was built in 1911 as a hotel, and the sign has remained one of its most recognizable features ever since.
Today the old hotel has a new purpose as affordable apartments, but the blade sign still hints at its earlier life. It's always nice to see a building change with the times without losing the piece that gave it so much character.
UPDATE: The former Lewiston Hotel now operates as the Lewiston Apartments, and the historic blade sign remains in place. 07-26
Vance Motor Hotel (Gone)
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
The rooftop letters at Vance Motor Hotel made sure Seattle visitors knew where to find a room. High above Stewart Street, the neon name became part of the downtown skyline, advertising to motorists long before they reached the entrance. It’s the kind of hotel sign worth remembering even if you never checked in. 08-09
Opened in 1926, the ten story hotel was built for lumberman and developer Joseph Vance. Architect Victor W. Voorhees gave it a design inspired by an Italian Renaissance palace. That’s a considerably grander starting point than the “Motor Hotel” lettering might suggest.
UPDATE: The building became Hotel Max in 2005, and the Vance rooftop lettering was replaced. The hotel remains open, now emphasizing art and music, including a floor dedicated to Seattle’s Sub Pop Records. The old name is gone from the skyline, but the historic building continues welcoming overnight guests. 07-26
Roosevelt Hotel (Closed)
Seattle, WA Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
It's hard to beat a rooftop neon sign, especially one like the Roosevelt Hotel towering above downtown Seattle. The bright red letters have been lighting up the skyline for decades and are almost impossible to miss after dark. 08-09
The hotel opened in 1929 and quickly became one of Seattle's landmark hotels. While the building has changed over the years, the rooftop sign has remained one of its defining features and one of the city's best pieces of vintage neon.
Today the hotel operates as Hotel Theodore, but thankfully the famous Roosevelt sign still blazes above the roof. It's a great reminder that sometimes the best part of an old building is the name that's still shining over it.
UPDATE: The former Roosevelt Hotel now operates as Hotel Theodore, and the restored rooftop neon continues lighting the Seattle skyline. 07-26
Grove Hotel (Gone)
Portland, OR Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser
The old Grove Hotel marquee was the first thing that caught my eye along West Burnside. Its simple block letters had the kind of worn look that fit perfectly with this older part of Portland. 06-10
The hotel dated back to 1907 and had seen much better days by the time this photo was taken. Years of neglect had left the building boarded up, but the old sign was still hanging on, quietly reminding people that travelers had been checking in here for generations.
For a while it looked like the building's future was uncertain, but it eventually received a new lease on life. The historic structure was restored and incorporated into a much larger redevelopment, although the old Grove Hotel sign didn't survive the transformation.
UPDATE: The building has been restored and now operates as The Hoxton Portland. The historic Grove Hotel marquee has been removed. 07-26
Grove Hotel (Gone)
