Special Report – The Alameda Hotel
I must admit that I have walked by The Alameda Hotel numerous times, but it never occurred to me to explore this historic Spanish Colonial Revival period building which was built in 1926.
I have previously reported on the landscaping and curious collection of curios that grace the section of the garden at the corner of Central Avenue and Broadway, but I completely overlooked the architecture and the treasure inside.
I called the Alameda Hotel Apartments and arranged for permission to wander around and explore the first floor.
The first thing I noticed when entering the lobby is the striking red beams, the gold trim on the columns, and the sun coming through the leaded glass windows.
There are so many hand-crafted details! I suggest you walk around the perimeter and check out the large, rounded doors with rippled glass and the twin staircases leading to the second floor.
There is some excellent ironwork on the railing, too.
Speaking of ironwork, don’t miss the gate leading to the massive ballroom.
This must have been quite the party location back in the day. It is available to rent if you are looking for a place to have a wedding or other large celebration.
There is a large patio area loaded with comfy chairs and market umbrellas. The word on the street that this might have been the location of a swimming pool back in the day.
The next time you find yourself in the 1400 block of Broadway, please take a moment to notice the building and imagine what it was like back in the 1920s. Do you have a memory of being in this hotel or maybe a photo of a relative that attended one of the many parties that took place in this grand building? Please feel free to share the photo or the memory.
Special thanks to Steve Gorman for directing my HC to a post he made in The Little City of Alameda Facebook group to find the original photo, which came from https://alamedainfo.com.
On to the next report.
Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.
