LaFleureRouge on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/lafleurerouge/art/Night-Vision-Of-The-Biltmore-80958383LaFleureRouge

Deviation Actions

LaFleureRouge's avatar

Night-Vision-Of-The-Biltmore

Published:
356 Views

Description

The year was 1922. F. Scott Fitzgerald spun tales of beautiful flappers and dashing aristocrats. Crowds danced to the hot licks of cool jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong. Secret Speakeasies and backyard stills sprung up in the wake of Prohibition. Women swooned at the images of Rudolph Valentino and Douglas Fairbanks on the silver screen. The discovery of King Tut’s tomb gave the public a glimpse of the awesome riches of ancient Egypt.

In Rhode Island, the opening of the Providence Biltmore Hotel epitomized this year of glitter and glamour. A front-page story in the June 6, 1922 edition of the Providence Journal reported on the banquet and ball that would officially open the Biltmore, predicting that it would be “the most elaborate social event ever to be held in the city.” Over 1,000 people attended the party, including local officials and several prominent New York City hoteliers. For the occasion, the building was illuminated from top to bottom with more than 25,000 lights.

The Hotel continued to be Providence's hot spot during the Big Band era of the 1930s and 40s. The Biltmore's Garden Room swung to the sounds of such famous orchestra leaders as Benny Goodman and Jimmy Dorsey. The dance floor was once turned into an aquarium, complete with live fish, for a performance by Esther Williams. For Sonia Henie’s ice show, the floor was frozen solid.

The Biltmore closed in 1974, only to be renovated and reopened in 1979. Since that time, the hotel has undergone several additional renovations, restoring it to its 1922 charm. The hotel underwent a $7.5 million renovation project to add two new floors of luxury suites, and high level, elegant boardrooms.

The Providence Biltmore Hotel has been placed on the National Preservation Register as one of the country’s cherished architectural treasures.

Photo and FX by LFR
Image size
2715x2304px 872.41 KB
© 2008 - 2024 LaFleureRouge
Comments2
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
Vilk42's avatar