The Pfister Hotel
History
The vision of Guido Pfister and his son Charles was to create a “grand hotel of the West.” When the Pfister opened its doors in 1893, it was a lavish production and was met with unbridled enthusiasm. The Romanesque Revival design of architect Charles Koch incorporated such groundbreaking features as fireproofing, electricity throughout the hotel, its own power plant and individual thermostat controls in every room. The sophisticate Imperial ballroom, with its impressive 32-foot ceilings, quickly became a favorite venue for weddings, balls and social gatherings. Charles Pfister’s passion for art and collecting resulted in what remains today the world’s largest hotel collection of Victorian art. In 1962, the hotel was purchased by Ben Marcus, who vowed to renovate it to showcase its original beauty. A new 23-story tower was added to provide the latest in luxurious accommodations.
