{{Short description|Historic building in Columbus, Ohio}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox historic site | name = Macon Hotel | image = Macon Hotel.jpg | image_size = 260px | coordinates = {{coord|39.973256|-82.973058|display=inline,title}} | area = | built = 1888 | location = 366 N. 20th Street, Columbus, Ohio | original_use = Hotel | demolished = | rebuilt = | restored = | restored_by = | current_use = Vacant | architect = | architecture = | website = | designation1 = Columbus | designation1_date = January 10, 1983 | designation1_number = CR-16 | image_map = {{maplink|plain=yes|frame=yes|frame-align=center|frame-height=190|coord={{coord|39.973256|-82.973058}}|frame-width=260|type=point|zoom=12|marker=building|marker-color=#545454}} }} The '''Macon Hotel''' is a historic building in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. The hotel, completed in 1888, served noted jazz musicians in the 20th century. It was listed on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties in 1983.<ref name=Dispatch>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20190405/preservationists-lament-state-of-macon-hotel-once-king-lincoln-jewel|title=Preservationists lament state of Macon Hotel, once a King-Lincoln jewel|first=Mark|last=Ferenchik|website=The Columbus Dispatch}}</ref>
The hotel building is one of four remaining properties in Columbus included in The Green Book, a historical guide to Black-friendly accommodations.
==Attributes== The building is made of brick, and has three stories and {{convert|4930|sqft}}.<ref name=Dispatch/><ref name="Dispatch 2021"/> It is a prominent example of iron frame and brick construction for commercial buildings of the era. The first floor contains an office, bar, kitchen, and three bathrooms. The upper two floors have been gutted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.columbuslandmarks.org/macon-hotel/|title=Macon Hotel – Columbus Landmarks}}</ref>
==History== The Macon Hotel was built in 1888. The building became known for hosting prominent African American jazz performers and travelers during its hotel operation.<ref name=Dispatch/> The hotel was featured in The Green Book, a segregation-era guide to friendly lodging for African Americans. Twenty other Columbus properties were also included; only four of those remain.<ref name="Dispatch 2021"/><ref name="CM">{{cite news|title=King-Lincoln Bronzeville Landmark, 'Green Book' Site Macon Hotel Finds New Life|newspaper=Columbus Monthly|url=https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/lifestyle/around-town/2021/09/28/macon-hotel-king-lincoln-bronzeville-columbus-green-book/5816864001/|date=September 28, 2021|access-date=January 17, 2022}}</ref>
The Macon hosted entertainers including Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and the Columbus native Nancy Wilson.<ref name="Dispatch 2021"/> It later became a lounge and nightclub. It is currently vacant. The Macon was added to the Columbus Landmarks Foundation's "most endangered" list in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019, amid continued deterioration.<ref name=Dispatch/>
The building was resold in 2017 for $45,000, to a developer hoping to construct micro-apartments within.<ref name="Dispatch 2021"/>
In 2021, plans were announced to convert the building into an extended-stay hotel, with the first floor made into a restaurant and bar. The project would include seven units per upper floor, requiring interior renovations in addition to masonry repairs, painting, new windows, and a new roof.<ref name="Dispatch 2021">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/07/06/macon-hotel-columbus-black-entertainers-revitalization-rebuild/5326018001/|title=Historic Macon Hotel, once a host to prominent Black entertainers, may finally see new life|first=Mark|last=Ferenchik|website=The Columbus Dispatch}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Portal bar|Architecture|Hotels|Ohio}} {{Columbus Register of Historic Properties}}
Category:Defunct hotels in Ohio Category:1888 establishments in Ohio Category:Hotels established in 1888 Category:Hotels in Columbus, Ohio Category:Endangered buildings in Columbus, Ohio Category:Columbus Register properties Category:African-American history in Columbus, Ohio Category:Mount Vernon (Columbus, Ohio)