Restore the Grand Halls of the Bellevue-Stratford!
- by: Shawn Kailian
- recipient: Ronald Rubin - Executive Chairman of the PREIT Group (The Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust)
http://www.causes.com/causes/798363-restore-the-bellevue-stratford
Please go to this website link to sign the new petition! Thank-you, sorry for the confusion as this one is easier to maintain and looks nicer to boot! :)
Thanks again!
~Shawn Kailian
I thank-you gratefully and sincerely! Lets make this happen!
Gratefully and truly yours,
Shawn Kailian
For your enjoyment:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/361914290555240/
Above, a link of courtesy and invitation to my group about the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel! It features never-before-seen photographs of the Hotel's original decadence and opulence, articles as well as schematics of several of the floor plans! Enjoy what we have to offer, and please if you have a story do share it! We would love to hear it! It makes the experience worth it!
September 28th, 2012
Dear Mr. Rubin,
Hello how are you doing today? I am writing to you in regards to one of your properties, the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. I would like to discuss or negotiate a possible restoration and interior land marking review of the Bellevue-Stratford.
The exterior I know is of Historical Landmark status since 1977, but the interior is not. The renovations done to the interiors was detrimental to the Bellevue-Stratford and since there was no land marking interiors act (It was just passed two years ago) Nothing was done. There was no opposition to the remodeling of the interiors, and whole interiors originally intact before 1986 were destroyed senselessly to make way for modern-day improvements.
I have talked to the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, the Historic Commission of Philadelphia, and even the corporate headquarters of Hyatt in Chicago, Illinois. I am very passionate about the revitalizing and restoration of the Bellevue-Stratford to her original opulence and grandeur. It is something Philadelphia needs, pride back in her domain. The Grand Dame on Broad Street as she was called long ago, as been tarnished and muted and left very changed by the times and tastes.
Please consider my proposal seriously. It is very important, and the revitalizing and restoration of the Bellevue-Stratford could bring in a lot of revenue to your company and group. People would realize how historic preservation and restoration can really boost the legacy of a building, and the revenue and finances. The restoration could even bring in possible history tours if that would be even considered. Please again, do consider this as it is for a great cause and can bring back Philadelphia's old-time charm in many ways!
Thank-you for your time!
Gratefully and truly yours,
Shawn Kailian
Dear Mr. John Gallery,
I am writing to you for the consideration of a possible review and accurate restoration of the fabled interiors of the Ground, First and Second stories of the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel here in Center City, Philadelphia.
In the late 1950's the world saw the revolution of stainless steel, drop ceilings and harsh flourescent lighting. These factors contributed in the premature dismanteling of some of the original decorations both exterior, and interior of the Bellevue-Stratford. This was the first of three renovations to try and subdue, the "anachronistic" and "offensive" looking interiors of the Hotel.
Between the year she was closed down (1976) for the Legionnaire's outbreak and 1979, the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel was taken over by the Richard I. Rubin Co. which took the initiative to renovate and restore the Hotel. This twenty-five million dollar renovation saw to 30% of her guest apartments gutted reducing them from 725 to 565. The upside of this was that the original and ornate decorations were restored painstakingly to their 1904 appearance.
Later in 1986 after the Hotel closed down, the Rubin company took the initiative again to "revitalize" downtown Philadelphia and spent 100 million dollars on the last of the three renovations. This renovation saw to the remaining guest floors (2nd and 11th) being gutted and converted to office space, a massive double-escalator replacing the Viennese Tea-Room, the former Dining-Room being replaced by "The Palm" dining venue, and a "Conservatory" being created when the middle wing of the e-shaped building from the 12th to the 17th stories was gutted.
The Bellevue-Stratford being a historic and beautiful city landmark should bring to light the reasonings for restoring historic and endangered interior. These interiors have seen the delightful and glamourous society balls, weddings and government affairs and changing events that have shaped the world today! The restoration of interiors such as, but not limited to; The Main Lobby and its diminished entrance, the Grand Ballroom and its original decorations, and the Viennese Tea-Room and its Mezzanine would bring back pride and beauty and culture to Philadelphia!
The restoration would bring a definite peek in restoring and preserving of endangered historic interiors. The restoration would certainly bring in renvue for the Hotel's operations, and business as well as the owner's; the Priet Group. It would show people how important preservation of history is. It would bring in possibly a historical tour of the building, including historical stories of events that were held, dignitaries visiting etc...
I thank-you for your consideration and reading of my proposal letter. I hope you seriously consider this proposal and petition to revitalize and restore the original 1904 appearance of the Bellevue-Stratford's interior grandeur!
Gratefully and truly yours,
Shawn Kailian
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