The Ambassador Hotel

Todays' theme is "street scene", and while this might be a different interpretation, the old Ambassador Hotel is certainly a scene along Wisconsin Avenue. Built in 1928, it was an affluent fixture in Milwaukee, especially considering that between the 1850's and 1926 many of Milwaukee's wealthy residents (including Frederick Pabst, of Pabst beer fame) built their homes along Wisconsin Avenue. Liberace, who was born in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, frequently played in the lounge there, & John F. Kennedy, as a presidential hopeful, spoke at a convention there. By the 1980's the hotel and the surrounding neighborhoods had really declined, and the Ambassador became a low rate residence hotel. In the last 2 decades the area has been making a  resurgence, and the hotel was bought by a real estate developer who was also a graduate of local Marquette University, who invested millions of dollars to bring it back to its' former splendor. The art deco designs on the upper part of the building are all original, as are the sconces and crown molding in the lobby. One of its most impressive features is its bronze elevator doors which are unique because they open out rather than slide to the side. The lounge hosts a happy hour that's reminiscent of the pre-prohibition era, with drinks such as a 25 cent Gin Fizz.  Some staff say it's haunted, as beds in some rooms are frequently made or unmade, items disappear only to reappear elsewhere, and there are occasionally messages that appear on some of the mirrors. And of course there are those who have stayed in room #507 (where in 1987 Steven Tuomi was murdered by Jeffrey Dahmer) who complain of a feeling of heaviness in the room, of being awoken by "someone" in the middle of the night, and of hearing strange sounds. 
On the non-haunted side, the painter's been scraping and priming the garage today, and while it sprinkled a little this morning, the sun has now come out so work can continue. Thanks to Carolina for the great themes and hope you all have a great start to the week. :)     (I put the colored version in the extras, just because the Art Deco elements show up so much better in that one.)