Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-04
Experts Will Decide Roosevelt Hotel
Future; Only z Guests in 800 Rooms
BY AL ALIBRANDo

Experts in refurbishing hotels
are poking about the Roosevelt.
a once fashionable 600 room
hostelry now down to 81 guests.
The eight-story brick building
at Sixteenth street and Florida
avenue NV. recently was pur-
chased from Mrs. Maria Kramer
by Webb & Knapp, New York
real estate firm headed by Will
liam Zeckendorf.
Experts are inspecting the
property to determine whether
in can be repaired, redecorated
and run prof1tably as a hotel.
Meanwhile, the 81 apartment
residents come and go unmindful
of the survey being conducted
by the Nassau Management Co..
Inc, New York City. A repre-
sentative of the firm said his
company may buy the hotel If it
looks like a profitable deal.
1--WE know the sale price," he
said. IF the cost of repairing
and decorating, added to the sale
price, is not too high, then we
might be interested"
Three Choices
Webb g. Knapp representa-
tiveS here said the realty firm
is considering three possibilities
putting the hotel in top shape
and running it as such, leasing
or selling the property.
The small staff of the hotel
still has not had confirmation of
the sale to the Zeckendorf in
terestS, which was announced
here March 10.
1--WE don't know what is going
on" said one employee. 1--WE still
wonder what we ought to do
about jobs"
In the last few days a steady
stream Of painters, plumbers,
carpenters, plasterers and other
building tradesmen has been in
specting the building.
"These venetian blinds can be
washed" observed one inspector.
Trouble Ahead
One repair expert, after an in
Spection of the hotel, said con-
dition of the equipment and I'M
occupied rooms were "unbeliev-
ably bad"
when you know real estate
and what a thing like this means,
/ it makes you SICK" he said.
The hotel was a furnishing
enterprise when it was purchased
by Mrs. Kramer in 1941 for a sum
reported at more than 81 mil
lion. Optimistically, Mrs. Kra-
mer announced at the time Of
the purchase that activity at the
hotel would be popped up by
emphasizing orchestras as lead
ing attractions.
For some years the hotel en-
joyed a reputation among the
younger set as topfiight dinner
dance hotel. The first hint Of
trouble came in 1949 when Dis
trict officials refused to renew
the hotels license. In the next
few years, the hotel was cited
several times for having an in
adequate heating system and
sanitary defects.
Fined in 1852
In 1852, the hotel was fined
$3.50 for not having license.
Mrs. Kramer forfeited $500 in
bond in February. 1853, on six
health charges.
About this time, Mrs. Kramer.
who also operated two hotels
in New York, told reporters:
1--WE haven't made a penny
since I don't know when"
Despite the dust covering the
tables in the once popular ball
rooms and cocktail lounge, the
remaining guests speak with af-
lection for the hotel that no
longer has room service, a door,
man or a desk clerk.
"This was a wonderful place to
i've" recalled Mrs. Virginia
Hamilton, a resident since 1899.
when I first moved in, even
the desk clerk had to wear a
tux after 6 o'clock in the eve
ming" she said. "In those days
we had IL bellboys, a doorman
and a taxi-Stand."
Mrs. Hamilton said she missed
the convenience afforded by the
dining room.
Although I have a kitchen,
| it was nice to go down to the
dining room once in a while for
a meal or have dinner sent up"
she said.
Mrs. Hamilton said the din
ing room was closed about four
years ago. Hotel employees said
the bathrooms were rented out
until about six months ago when
the hotel was ordered to cease
renting rooms to transients.
District officials told Mrs. Kra-
mer she could rent only apart
ment units.