The Pioneer Hotel
Encyclopedia
The Pioneer Hotel, designed by Tucson Architect Roy Place
, was one of Tucson's first high-rise building. Opened in 1929, the spanish revival hotel became the social center of the downtown business district. The property catered to the social elite. In the mid-20th century Harold and Margaret Steinfeld, owners of a large downtown department store lived in the penthouse. A disastrous fire severely damaged the building in December 1970, and among the 29 victims were the Steinfelds. The building has been converted from a hotel to an office building.
Though it adds a rich layer of history to the business district of downtown Tucson, the Pioneer Hotel has not been listed in the National Register of Historic Places
because of "reversible integrity changes" made in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The "modernization" included stripping the building of its ornate cast stone entryway and adding vertical glass striping in an attempt to up-date the building to reflect design trends popular in the middle to late 20th century.
Other changes included the covering of the buildings roof top terrace arcade, changing the store front window configuration and reconfiguration of the lobby.
After the fire, developer Allan Elias converted the building to offices with extensive remodeling and facade work in 1977. Later, John Hancock Mutual Life spent $1.3 million renovating the building, including hallways and other common areas.
The building is currently owned by Holualoa Congress LLC.
Roy Place
Roy W. Place was a Tucson, Arizona architect.Born in San Diego in 1887, Place moved to Tucson in 1917 after working in Chicago and the Boston firm of Sheply, Rutan and Coolidge. Place partnered with John Lyman in 1919, together constructing over 20 buildings in Tucson. Place worked independently...
, was one of Tucson's first high-rise building. Opened in 1929, the spanish revival hotel became the social center of the downtown business district. The property catered to the social elite. In the mid-20th century Harold and Margaret Steinfeld, owners of a large downtown department store lived in the penthouse. A disastrous fire severely damaged the building in December 1970, and among the 29 victims were the Steinfelds. The building has been converted from a hotel to an office building.
Though it adds a rich layer of history to the business district of downtown Tucson, the Pioneer Hotel has not been listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
because of "reversible integrity changes" made in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The "modernization" included stripping the building of its ornate cast stone entryway and adding vertical glass striping in an attempt to up-date the building to reflect design trends popular in the middle to late 20th century.
Other changes included the covering of the buildings roof top terrace arcade, changing the store front window configuration and reconfiguration of the lobby.
Description
The building is 11 stories tall and, when it opened in 1929, it housed the largest ballroom in the country.History
A metal frame was added to the top of the building in the 1970s.After the fire, developer Allan Elias converted the building to offices with extensive remodeling and facade work in 1977. Later, John Hancock Mutual Life spent $1.3 million renovating the building, including hallways and other common areas.
The building is currently owned by Holualoa Congress LLC.
Pioneer Fire of December 1970
In the early hours of the morning on December 20, 1970, fire ripped through the Pioneer Hotel building.External links
- Google Maps Tour
- Tucson Citizen ArticleCached Article
- http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/03/01/60minutes/main502625.shtml
- http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/rionuevo/54978
- http://nationalfirejournal.blogspot.com/2008/11/photo-gendisaters.html
- http://www3.gendisasters.com/arizona/4828/tucson%2C-az-pioneer-international-hotel-fire%2C-dec-1970
- Ellensburg Daily Record "Tucson Fire Claims 28", Dec 21, 1970
- The Spokesman Review "Tucson Hotel Fire Kills 28: 'Inadequate'Sprinklers, Alarm Cited", Dec 21, 1970
- LA Times, "28 Die as Fire Rips Through Upper Floors of Tucson Hotel", Dec 21, 1970-- Article for Purchase
- Hartford Courant Dec 21, 1970 -- Article for Purchase
- http://www.iklimnet.com/hotelfires/case9.html
- http://www3.gendisasters.com/arizona/4828/tucson%2C-az-pioneer-international-hotel-fire%2C-dec-1970