The St. Regis Hotel, designed by local architect Mihran Mesrobian in 1926, is a fitting venue for DCPL's fundraising event which will mark the re-opening of this prestigious hotel and downtown landmark. The evening's cocktail reception will include a short program to commemorate our accomplishments over the past year, the contributions of numerous supporters, and the work of countless volunteers. The event will draw people from all over the city to focus on the role preservation and DCPL play in shaping the character of Washington 's unique neighborhoods and its historic downtown.

Since its founding as Don't Tear It Down in 1971, when a group of concerned citizens came together to save the Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue, the organization now known as the DC Preservation League, has advocated on behalf of more than 28,000 historic buildings designated as individual landmarks or within historic districts across the city.

More about this landmark...

The St. Regis, Washington, DC first opened its doors in October, 1926 as the Carlton Hotel. Mirroring the ambitions of the St. Regis founder, John Jacob Astor IV, Washington real estate developer Harry Wardman wished to create a sophisticated establishment that would surpass the very best European luxury hotels of the time.

During the late 1930s, the Carlton became the residence of Secretary of State Cordell Hull, who transacted much of the government's business at the hotel. Ever since, the Carlton has been popular with members of Washington's political elite, including presidents and their families. Successive administrations turned to the Carlton to host high level diplomatic meetings and glamorous social galas, including several inaugural banquets.

During the 1950s, President Truman was a constant fixture at the hotel and would often need to enter the hotel through a side window in order to preserve protocol while receiving official guests. Ronald Reagan was a regular visitor to the hotel's barber, Milton Pitts, who cut the hair of several presidents. Robert Kennedy professed the Carlton's chocolate parfait to be his all time favorite dessert.

The hotel has also been a hub of the capital's social scene. During the 1940s, famous Washington socialite Perle Mesta hosted her celebrated pink-themed galas at the Carlton. Joan Crawford, Jacqueline Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Cher and countless other luminaries have been loyal guests. Howard Hughes kept a permanent suite at the Carlton during World War II, which he famously made available at no cost to uniformed servicemen during his absence.

In December 1987, the Carlton shut its doors for an extensive 16 million dollar renovation, reopening on October 2, 1988, on its 62nd birthday. The renovation enlarged guest rooms, as well as enhanced bathrooms and improved the hotel's communications infrastructure.

In 1999, after 73 years as the Carlton Hotel, the property assumed a new mantle as The St. Regis, Washington, DC becoming the first hotel to share the legendary St. Regis name with the flagship New York hotel.

In December 2007, the St. Regis Washington, DC reopened following a landmark 16-month renovation to become, once again, the capital's most luxurious hotel. The renovation provided a complete makeover of every guest room and all public areas, including the lobby, ballroom, St. Regis Athletic Club and meeting rooms and the Astor Terrace. Click here to learn more about the hotel...

Please plan to join us on February 7th!

For additional information, contact DCPL, at 202.783.5144, or info@dcpreservation.org