COLUMBUS, OH—Hotel LeVeque has opened its doors here. A part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the hotel marks the collection’s second property in the state.
The 149-room boutique hotel occupies floors five through 10 of the LeVeque Tower—an iconic part of the Columbus skyline since the historic tower opened in 1927 as the nation’s fifth largest building. Rosemont, IL-based First Hospitality Group Inc. owns and operates Hotel LeVeque under a partnership agreement with Robert J. Meyers and Don Casto of Tower 10.
“Bringing this incredible architectural treasure back as a beacon of hospitality was a natural fit for our depth of expertise in adaptive reuse,” said First Hospitality Group CEO Bob Habeeb.
Arriving guests will be given The Starry Night Experience, which includes design elements like the lobby’s mammoth sculptural chandelier, which creates twinkling star patterns spark across the ceiling. Arriving guests will receive a welcome cocktail and a special quote designed to inspire meaningful memories, along with a special invitation to enjoy a themed cocktail menu that awaits them in the Hotel LeVeque bar, The Keep. In the guestroom, guests will find a starry nightlight glittering against the dimly lit ceiling, as well as a turndown card tucked alongside specialty treats, one sweet and one savory, crafted by a local pastry chef.
Originally built in 1927 as the American Insurance Union Citadel, the LeVeque Tower was architect Charles Howard Crane’s masterpiece. At the time, the LeVeque Tower was the tallest skyscraper between New York City and Chicago, and the fifth tallest building in the world. It was home to the Deshler Wallick Hotel and later became known as the Lincoln LeVeque Tower, then simply the LeVeque Tower after its purchase in 1945.
Clad in unusual terra cotta relief tiles, the LeVeque Tower’s Art Deco architecture is among Columbus’ most photographed architectural assets. Its architecture was preserved and highlighted by Columbus-based Schooley Caldwell architects.