Historic Western Hotel & Saloon (c. 1891)
Ouray, CO
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Now celebrating over 125 years since its grand opening in 1891, the 3 story Historic Western Hotel and Saloon is one of the of largest and oldest wooden structures left from the Victorian mining era in Colorado, and a contributing property to the Ouray Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The storied legacy of this iconic hotel property is beyond compare...including an underground tunnel to Ouray's ''red light district'' that was closed with stone & mortar in 1916. Full restoration of this grande dame will likely qualify for a State Historical Fund grant and may be eligible for a 20% federal income tax credit. With +/- 11,500 square feet under roof this is a historically intact unique asset for the hotelier/restauranteur or commercial/residential redeveloper.
The tin ceilings in the ballroom, stained glass & check-in desk in the lobby, the hand carved bar & wood stove in the saloon, the alternating current light fixtures...all original to Colorado's earliest days. The 50 foot wide second floor open veranda extending over the sidewalk to the street side greets guests today with the same classic Old West sense of arrival that welcomed weary hotel guests to Ouray fresh off the stage coach over 125 years ago. Once inside, the lobby, historic bar room & restaurant, and the 14 guest rooms on the second floor offer a rare and authentic taste of a bygone era. The hotel has two large suites with private baths that overlook the second floor veranda. Room #1 (the "Honeymoon Suite") has two double beds, marble sinks and original furnishings. It was photographed soon after the hotel was built; the original hand painted blue wallpaper still remains. Room # 9, the other suite, has a queen-bed and a bathroom with clawfoot tub. The 12 smaller original boarding rooms are rustic and affordable - 6 of these rooms are in each wing of the hotel and share three European-style bathrooms.
In the early 1900's thirsty Colorado artist Herndon Davis painted the face of his beloved wife Juanita Davis on the bar room floor of the Western for a few free beers. Davis later also painted Juanita's face on the bar room floor of the Teller House hotel in Central City, Colorado.
Much like the acclaimed renovations of the similarly historic Beaumont Hotel and St. Elmo Hotel/Bon Ton Restaurant, a restoration/renovation project of the Western could likely seek to retain as much of the historic elements as is possible while bringing the hotel's infrastructure up to current codes and standards.
This is a very special and unique asset for the historic preservationist, hotel/restauranteur or commercial/residential developer. The Historic Western Hotel is a perfect destination for corporate retreats, film productions or other group activities of up to 250 people.
The possibilities surrounding the rehabilitation and next 125 years of the legacy of the Western Hotel are intriguing.
Please contact me @ 970-729-0720 or jason.raible@sothebysrealty.com to arrange your tour.
Property Details- 14 Guest Rooms
- 4 Guest Room Baths
- Has Owner's Quarters
- Built in 1891
- Last Renovated in 1891
- Opened in 1891
- Building is 11,500 SQFT
- Lot is 0.2 Acres
- Photo Gallery
- Property Website
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