OUR “Fair Lady”

Pullman is well known in architectural circles for its association with the Queen Anne style. Chief among the many examples is the Hotel Florence. She is “Our Fair Lady” and the gem of Pullman.

From a curving veranda that extends across its entire red brick façade, to its mansard roof, the hotel has always cut an impressive figure, which was George Pullman’s intention. As a man of wealth in the 1880s, impressing others with opulence was practically a requirement. Working with Solon S. Beman, he certainly accomplished that goal with Hotel Florence.

The Hotel Florence maintained its status as a place to see and be seen through the decades. Even though it has been closed for practically a decade, it sits as if on a regal throne overseeing the comings and goings of visitors to the Pullman National Historical Park and the neighborhood of Pullman.

Built in 1881 for the many executives coming to Chicago to do business with the Pullman companies and the tourists who came to marvel at Pullman as one of the few company towns in America. The hotel opened with opulent rooms on the second and third floors and lesser rooms for executive assistants on the fourth floor.

In 1914, the Pullman Companies experienced a boom in business and decided to build an annex to the Hotel Florence. The new structure provided 50 simple rooms to enable new hires to live and work in Pullman. The Annex has been vacant for many years and remains just a shell with a red brick exterior.

The announcement of a $100-milliom private and public investment plan to update and restore the Hotel Florence has been received with great anticipation. “Our Fair Lady” is getting a new lease on life as a boutique hotel with upscale guest rooms, two restaurants, and stores to shop in. In addition, the factory buildings in the Pullman Historic District will become concert and performing arts centers. These plans are all in the developmental stage. Once they have been finalized announcements will be made to keep everyone informed.

The question that comes to mind, “How can the hotel building accommodate boutique hotel rooms, two restaurants, and a shopping area?” The answer lies in the excellent plan to connect the Hotel Florence directly to the revamped and restyled annex, which originally contained multiple floors.

The Hotel Florence was named after George Pullman’s oldest daughter who accompanied him on many of his business trips. Florence was about 12 years old when she got to start the “Big Bertha” steam engine that provided the power for the entire Pullman factory. The cooling waters needed for the steam engine also provided the water for the man-made Lake Vista,in front of the Administration Building.

After serving George’s initial purpose, the hotel went through many different versions and was used for many different purposes. I heard from many people who recalled events such as weddings, birthdays and luncheons taking place at there. Like many people, I called it the “Florence Hotel” for many years. But then I saw an “HF” in one of the hotel’s stained-glass windows. I’ve never forgotten it and always remember it is the Hotel Florence.

I made it a point to put out the question, “Can anyone tell me of an event they attended at the hotel, such as a celebration, a wedding, or just brunch? What was the experience like, and who attended? What follows are some of the many replies I received.”

Here are some of the response:

Carol Scheffler McAlpine: “We took my late husband’s cousin and his family there for brunch when they came to visit from Texas. As I can remember the brunch was good.”

Diane Bassett: “Our softball team used to go there every Sunday before our games for brunch.”

Donna Sospizio: “While mom was out of town visiting family my dad took me to Sunday brunch at the Florence Hotel. I treasure the memory as it’s the only time when it was just the two of us. We sat by the fireplace in that lovely dining room. He seemed to know the hotel layout very well and so we nosed around a bit before leaving to visit my aunt and uncle in Dolton.”

Pietro Lorenzini: “Hmm. I used to hang out at the bar with, err, a couple working ladies.”

Heidi Van Howe: “Brunch with my family was always delicious. Billie was the best manager. Had my first wedding at hotel. So much fun. Guests couldn’t stop commenting on how great the place was.

Robin Anderson: “Wow, well dating ’73,’74, we went to the lounge at the south end of the building to see the group of people that were there. Many married years later, went there for a garden walk luncheon, and a Spring tea luncheon. Went to many meetings in the northwest room. Always wanted to see the upper floors.”

Duane Mazzacavallo: “My sister Norma had her wedding shower there in 1961. Maybe she will see this and add some details.”

Phoebe Bakkers Steinmetz: “I remember going there on Sunday afternoons to eat. I loved the building even as a kid. It’s a beautiful building.”

Diane Herman Farino: “I volunteered there on Sundays when they had brunch. It was wonderful. What a spread and a champagne fountain, too!! I took people up to George Pullman’s suite and gave them the spiel. Those were the days!”

Linda Quagliani: “When I worked at Pullman Bank, we would occasionally go there for lunch.”

Joseph Panozzo: “My parents used to tell me they went to a restaurant inside there in the ’60s. I remember going inside there in the mid ’70s with my dad to a gift shop inside there to buy a book about Pullman for a class assignment I had. I also heard Frank E. Lee, a WXRT disc jockey, say on the air that he had his wedding reception in the hotel.”

Mike Feeley: “As a teenager I spent many an evening at the horseshoe bar on the south end of the building. Lots of great memories.”

Vicki Henry Maxwell: “Went to brunch there with my mom and my daughter.”

Besides those personal memories, there were other memorable events that people have told me about. There are several short films on YouTube that show some of the events and even the brunch offerings. Apparently, brunch at the hotel was a local treat that many workers in the area took advantage of.

There have been several people who have mentioned attending weddings at the hotel. My buddy Ed Wolak recalled attending a wedding at the hotel with his parents and expecting the usual dinner. However, the memory he’s carried all these years is that there was no dinner served but there were cake and hors d’oeuvres. Regardless, he enjoyed celebrating at “Our Fair Lady.” the Hotel Florence.

The Hotel Florence was staffed by many Pullman residents, some of whom still reside in Pullman. As I mentioned, these staff members can be seen in the YouTube videos. The longest video is a very casual, unrehearsed video taken by someone with one of those new-fangled video cameras.

With a total investment of more than $100 million through public and private investment, the hotel will gain a new prestige. Its status as a 50-room boutique hotel will give visitors the choice between staying downtown or enjoying the beauty that can be found in Pullman year around. Pullman’s Hotel Florence will once again regain its status as “Our Fair Lady!”

“Petals from Roseland: Fond Memories of Chicago’s Roseland, Pullman and Kensington Neighborhoods” is available from me for anyone interested in sharing or revisiting Roseland, at $20 + $5 s&h via check, cash, or Zelle. Contact me at petalsfromroseland@gmail.com or 11403 S. St. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60628; 773-710-3559. My book is also available at D & D Foods, 1023 S. Halsted, Chicago Heights, at Bookie’s New and Used Books, 10324 S. Western Ave, Chicago and at Miles Books, 2819 Jewett Ave., Highland, Indiana.