The Chamberlin

{{Short description|Historic hotel in Virginia, United States}} {{other uses|Chamberlin (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox NRHP | name = Chamberlin Hotel | designated_other1 = Virginia Landmarks Register | designated_other1_date = December 6, 2006<ref name=register>{{cite web|title=Virginia Landmarks Register|url=http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/register_counties_cities.htm|publisher=Virginia Department of Historic Resources|accessdate=19 March 2013}}</ref> | designated_other1_number = 114-0114 | designated_other1_num_position = bottom | image = CHAMBERLIN HOTEL.jpg | caption = | location = 2 Fenwick Rd., Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virginia | coordinates = {{coord|37|0|3.9|N|76|18|44.6|W|display=inline,title}} | locmapin = Virginia#USA | built = {{Start date|1928}} | architect = Wright, Marcellus E., Sr; Warren & Wetmore | architecture = Beaux Arts | added = March 21, 2007 | partof = Fort Monroe Historic District<ref name=NatHistDist>{{cite web|title=Section 1C Fort Monroe National Historic Landmark District|url=http://www.fmauthority.com/pdf/06_1C-Natl_Historic_Landmark_District.pdf|publisher=Fort Monroe Authority|accessdate=28 July 2011|archive-date=March 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322184048/http://www.fmauthority.com/pdf/06_1C-Natl_Historic_Landmark_District.pdf|url-status=dead}} See page 1C.3, stating that under the closure programmatic agreement, the entirety of the Fort boundary is considered contributing.</ref> | partof_refnum = 66000912 | nrhp_type = nhldcp | nocat = yes | designated_nrhp_type = October 15, 1966 | area = {{convert|5|acre}} | refnum = 07000190<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> }} '''The Chamberlin''' is a retirement community in Hampton, Virginia, overlooking Hampton Roads at Old Point Comfort. It was formerly known as the Chamberlin Hotel, named for the famed restaurateur and original owner John Chamberlin. The nine-story building sits on historic Fort Monroe and overlooks Fort Wool. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it has been renovated from its former life as a hotel into a luxury retirement community for people aged 55 and up.

The second floor has retained the hotel atmosphere while the rest of the floors have been renovated and turned into one- and two-bedroom apartments. A few apartments are used as guest quarters for visiting relatives of residents.

The current building opened in 1928 as the Chamberlin-Vanderbilt Hotel,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/life/travel/2008/10/23/Stately-face-life-for-an-old-icon-The-memorable-Chamberlin-Hotel-is-back-in-business/stories/200810230366|title = Stately face life for an old icon: The memorable Chamberlin Hotel is back in business}}</ref> under the direction of Marcellus E. Wright Sr., with Warren and Wetmore consulting.<ref>[http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/cities/hampton/114-0114_chamberlinhotel_2006_nrfinal.pdf National Register of Historic Places - Registration Form], National Park Service</ref> It replaced an earlier Chamberlin Hotel, designed by Washington, D.C., architects John L. Smithmeyer and Paul J. Pelz and completed in 1896, which had in turn replaced the Hygeia. The current building originally had two large cupolas on its roof but these were removed during World War II because they were visible from out in the ocean beyond the Virginia Capes and it was feared that they could potentially aid a hostile German warship cruising offshore in targeting Fort Monroe. They were never replaced after the war.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category-inline|The Chamberlin}} *[https://www.agewellliving.com/senior-living/va/hampton/the-chamberlin/ Official website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20131123173935/http://www.historicchamberlin.com/about-the-chamberlin/chamberlin-history/ History of the building and site] *[https://sill-www.army.mil/ada-online/coast-artillery-journal/_docs/1942/3-4/Mar-Apr%201942.pdf Reese, Franklin W., "U.S. Hotel Chamberlin", ''Coast Artillery Journal'', March-April 1942, Vol. 85, No. 2, P. 52]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chamberlin}} Category:Beaux-Arts architecture in Virginia Category:Buildings and structures in Hampton, Virginia Category:Individually listed contributing properties to historic districts on the National Register in Virginia Category:Hotel buildings completed in 1928 Category:Hotel buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia Category:National Register of Historic Places in Hampton, Virginia Category:Residential buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia Category:Retirement communities in the United States Category:Tourist attractions in Hampton, Virginia Category:1928 establishments in Virginia Category:Brick buildings and structures in Virginia Category:Warren and Wetmore buildings