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The Chase Park Plaza, where generations of St. Louisans, celebrities, world leaders, and sophisticated travelers have basked in its heritage of exemplary service and hospitality. After more than $100 million in renovation and restoration, the Chase-Park Plaza is once again making memories. People today, while visiting, reminisce about their memories and great times at the Chase.
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This grand and glorious masterpiece is once again welcoming generations of St. Louisans and visitors from around the world. Comprised of two buildings, the Chase and the Park Plaza have been the place of choice for travelers to St. Louis since the 1920's. Whether it is for an overnight stay in the Chase - or a longer residence stay in the incomparable Park Plaza - history continues to be made in St. Louis' premier hotel landmark.
The Chase, built by (and named for) Chase Ullman in 1922, was the destination for upscale business and leisure travelers. The Park Plaza, conceived by Mr. Sam Koplar, (one of the great hoteliers of his time), was created to be the most exquisite residence hotel, serving discriminating travelers.
The story of the Park Plaza is a story in itself. The construction of the Park Plaza was begun in 1929. The new building, a 30-story high-rise, was championed as being one of the most daunting projects undertaken at the time. Sadly, the Depression halted available resources, and the completion of the Park Plaza was delayed.
In the meantime, "Mr. Sam," (as he was known) went to work as the General Manager of the Chase until he made enough money to resume construction of his dream of the Park Plaza. By 1931, Sam Koplar was able to complete construction of the Park Plaza- while also being fortunate to purchase the Chase.
Room Detail
Room Detail
Over the years, the Chase and Park Plaza welcomed Kings, Queens, rock and opera stars, athletes and politicians. The Chase became the home away from home for renowned actors and singers performing in St. Louis. Most visiting celebrities have been a guest at the Chase and Park Plaza, including every president from the 1920's to 1980's.
The Chase Club
The Chase Club
The Starlight Room
The Hunt Room
The "Chase Club," (now the five-screen Chase Park Plaza Cinemas), featured known entertainers of the era:
Frank Sinatra
Dean Martin
Jerry Lewis
Bob Hope
The Starlight and Zodiac rooms (atop the Chase) provided Big Band radio broadcasts, heard nationally.
The Steeplechase (now Cafe Eau) also had live broadcasts featuring local and visiting celebrities.
The Hunt Room (now Bistro Eau) featured the first lavish Sunday brunch in the Midwest. The many nightclubs and restaurants were internationally-known as featuring "only the finest".
The 1950s brought big changes to the Chase. An outdoor swimming pool was built where the original entrance was, just in time for the 1956 Miss America contest. This created quite a local scandal, since the "scantily-clad" people could be seen from the street! The "lady" seen lounging today near the pool (the sculpture!) is actually a priceless work of art hidden from the Nazis during World War II. The statue was discovered by Harold Koplar as he combed Europe for art to furnish his beloved hotel.
The Out Door Pool
The Out Door Pool Party
The Khorassan Room
The Khorassan Room, a hangar-like ballroom constructed in the 1950s, boasted incomparable acoustics. The Khorassan Room became the site of the annual prestigious Veiled Prophet Debutante Ball. (The name "Khorassan is derived from the mythical kingdom of Khorassan). Most major social, professional and political functions took place at the Chase. For decades the catch-phrase was "The Chase is the Place."
Changes continued. A new entrance and lobby was built, combining both the Park Plaza and the Chase. The grand corridor and lobby area were given a sleek new "50s" look. The ornate columns were covered with wood veneer, and the ceilings were lowered with acoustical tile. Marble floors, then considered so "out-of-style," were covered with carpet.
The Tenderloin Room
The Tenderloin Room, a favorite among the famous and locals alike, opened at this time. This elegant Victorian-style fine-dining establishment remained opened throughout the numerous transitions of the Chase-Park Plaza, and continues as a favorite to this day.
The Koplar family sold the hotel in 1982, at which time the Park Plaza became exclusively an apartment building containing some of the most unique and lovely units in the city. Beautiful original millwork, terraces, soaring two-story windows and winding staircase were (and are still today) exciting amenities.
But by 1989, the Chase- which had continued to operate as a hotel- had fallen into a state of disrepair and neglect, at which time its doors sadly closed.
By 1991, a group of investors saw the deterioration and what it was doing to the neighborhood. The Chase had become an eyesore, and was frequented by vagrants and the homeless. A plan was put forth, and by 1997 financing was complete and renovation began.
Painstaking research was done to ensure that the newly-resurrected Chase would retain the style and feel of the original Chase. While renovating the lobby adjacent to the pool, an ornate plaster ceiling was discovered when a dropped-ceiling was removed. A company, specializing in the restoration of such architecture, was brought out of retirement to complete the project.
The Starlight Roof was the first public space to re-open in March of 1999. The Chase Park Plaza Cinemas opened in May. By Labor Day, the first newly-refurbished suites were occupied by guests. Once again, visitors could enjoy the shops, cuisine and sights and sounds of the Chase-Park Plaza.
After more than $100 million in renovation and restoration, the Chase-Park Plaza is once again making memories. People today, while visiting, reminisce about their memories and great times at the Chase. Younger generations continue to enjoy themselves, creating new memories for tomorrow.
While the Chase-Park Plaza has a grand and glorious past- guests today are assured a memorable stay at the landmark Chase.