Vernon Manor

Vernon Manor

The Vernon Manor, constructed in 1924 and modeled after the Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, England, was one of the premier hotels in Cincinnati, Ohio. Located on one of Cincinnati’s famous Seven Hills, the Manor offered an escape from the bustling downtown and riverfront and had a reputation for being “the place to stay” for musicians visiting or performing in the city.

History

The Vernon Manor, constructed in 1924 and modeled after the Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, England, was one of the premier hotels in Cincinnati, Ohio.(1) Built for a cost of $1.5 million, the hotel provided wealthy, retired individuals with luxurious apartment suites, along with offering a general hotel and restaurants for the traveling public.(10)

Located at 400 Oak Street in Uptown, the 177-room Manor offered an escape from the bustling downtown and riverfront and was perched on one of Cincinnati’s famous Seven Hills, which offered views of the plentiful hills and valleys.(7) It also had a reputation for being “the place to stay” for musicians visiting or performing in the city.(1)

In 1934, the hotel faced the possibility of bankruptcy.(10) The property by 1945 was “run-down-at-the-heels” and was purchased by Walter Schott, a local car dealer.

According to the former Vernon Manor web-site, among those who had booked rooms were The Beetles, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney (1) and Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.(2) “Rainman,” a 1988 film, featured the hotel.(9) The Manor featured large guest suites, gardens and full plumbing that attracted long-term guests.(3)

But it’s reputation could not starve off the changing demographics of the neighborhood. By the 1960s and 1970s, riots, racial violence and a declining neighborhood reduced the value and desirability of the Vernon Manor.(10) In 1977, the hotel was sold for $650,000. By then, 80% of the occupants were permanent residents, many who were low-incomed.

In 1986, the privately owned hotel was purchased by the Belvedere Corporation.(1) It was extensively renovated in 1999, which included a remodeled guest lobby, a fitness room, two business centers, an expanded restaurant and bar, and new guest corridors.(8)

The Manor closed on March 31, 2009 due to deteriorating market conditions (1) and on the April opening of Marriott’s SpringHill Suites Hotel near Eden Park.(2)

Belvedere stated that it was considering “alternative uses” for the property, which spurred widespread rumors that the storied hotel could be demolished.(2)

“We’ve had more calls from liquidators than anything else, you know, guys who just want to take the furniture. Our opinion is nothing’s going to happen, just because of the world. … We’ll be patient.”

-Belvedere co-owner Alex Warm (2)

Redevelopment

Warm stated that the hotel would be converted to low-income housing under a deal that was being “close” to being signed in early September.(3) Under the proposal, the company — which was not identified, would convert the 177-room hotel into 100 apartment units. Belvedere would either sell the building outright or retain partial ownership. Ground-floor retail and commercial space would return as part of the project.

Neighborhood leaders from Avondale and Corryville, which abut the former hotel, questioned whether additional low-income housing would be best for the neighborhoods, which already have an over-abundance of low-quality, low-income housing.(3)

Low-income housing developer Wallick Hendy Development Company confirmed on September 11 that he was pushing for a deal to convert the hotel into an affordable housing complex for seniors.(4)

The proposal to convert the hotel into low-income apartments slipped away, and in early October, Al Neyer Inc. proposed to convert the property into an office building for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.(4) The $35 million proposal would create a “new investment vehicle” for black entrepreneurs, who raised $2.7 million in a private offering to assert majority ownership of the property following its renovation.

Belvedere stated that Neyer had an exclusive right to purchase the Vernon Manor.(4) Children’s signed a letter of intent to be its singular occupant for up to 17-years,(5) and would relocate up to 600 employees to the building. The move would consolidate many of its office functions to the former hotel, and would create supplementary space for clinical and research on its main campus. That would allow Children’s to create up to 600 new jobs, which would produce an additional $829,000 in earnings tax annually.

The Vernon Manor would be gutted, and the concrete-block walls between rooms would be removed.(4)(6) A new 440-car parking structure would be erected north of the property.

Financing could be derived from historic tax credits, federal New Markets tax credits, tax-increment financing and loans.(4) An equity contribution by several black investors, now being amassed, would be one part of the financing proposal.

On December 16, the Cincinnati City Council voted (in favor/not in favor) on an aid package for the purchase of the Vernon Manor.(5) The city’s Economic Development Department had been working with Neyer on a financial assistance package. The first ordinance considered would allow the city to spend funds from the Corryville tax increment financing district to acquire property for $10.4 million for the parking structure.(6) A second ordinance would permit a 25-year lease and management accord to Neyer for the garage. After the agreement terminated, control of the garage would revert to the developer.

A liquidation sale of the hotel’s contents began on February 18, 2010.(9)

Gallery

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Sources