Courtesy of the Saint Paul Hotel
On May 14, a group of St. Paul business leaders announced a new ownership group for one of the city’s most iconic landmarks: the Saint Paul Hotel. The property has been home to several hotels, plus a short stint with an arcade and theater around the turn of the 20th century, for more than 170 years. It began in 1856, when John Summers invited global travelers to his own home; in 1871, a 60-room hotel, the Greenman House, opened on the site. After a series of fires and re-buildings, “St. Paul’s million-dollar hotel” opened with fanfare in April of 1910.
The Saint Paul Hotel would go on to host important events and luminary guests for the next century—among them Charles Lindberg, a number of 1920s gangsters, Gene Autry, and John F. Kennedy.
Now, the new ownership group plans extensive improvements to the hotel. They’ll renovate all rooms, reimagine the lobby, add a modern fitness center, and bring in fresh dining and bar experiences. “It is one of the most exciting times in our city’s recent history as local businesses and leaders continue to come together to invest in a bright future for our downtown,” said St. Paul mayor Kaohly Her in a recent release. “This bold investment into one of our city’s most famous landmarks is another great example of this commitment to downtown.”
The ownership group includes Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold, Securian Financial, Ecolab Inc., and several real estate developers. “I am a true St. Paul fan, and I’m thrilled to be able to invest in its future,” Leipold said.
The hotel rebirth will be part of many investment projects currently planned for downtown St. Paul—public and private projects that will total almost $1.3 billion in investment.
