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Originally
built in 1913 as San Diego's first "high-rise luxury
hotel," the Ramada Inn Gaslamp District has been brought
into the 21st Century with complete renovations and upgrades
while retaining its historic charm and ambiance.
THE
SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1996
Old
St. James finds new life
Businessman
Arnold "Bud" Fischer, reputed to be one of the
Gaslamp District's longest survivors, has refurbished and
reopened the landmark St. James Hotel at 830 Sixth Ave.,
downtown. The rebirth came fast on the heels of the rechristening
of his newly renovated Lafayette Travelodge Hotel in University
Heights. Fischer and his associates bought both at foreclosure
sales, the St. James at a cost of about $2 million and the
other for $2.125 million, said Dana Blasi, whose company
is managing the St. James.
Built
in 1913 at a cost of $300,000 by the late Henry Harms Preibisius,
the 11-story downtown hostelry once claimed to be the tallest
building with the fastest elevators in San Diego. Through
the years, it has served as everything from a tourist hotel
to a single-room-occupancy and, during WWII, an R&R
resort for military personnel.
In
its current incarnation, Blasi describes the St. James as
a romantic boutique hotel with whirlpool tubs in several
of the 99 rooms and suites. You'll still recognize the place
by the oversized logo running down the side of the building
and the newly refurbished two-story sign on top.
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