On Saturday afternoon we checked out the newly renovated, recently-reopened classic Hotel Northland in downtown Green Bay. Since the late 1980’s, when we began regularly attending Training Camp and then obtained both season ticket packages, we’ve known the history of the facility, but have never had the chance to go inside.
From the Hotel Northland website: “Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, Hotel Northland delivers an unexpected blend of modern luxury and vintage charm in a truly storied setting. Beyond our 160 inviting guest rooms, you’ll discover unique dining opportunities, homelike amenities, incredible meeting and wedding spaces, and more.”
“Dedicated to the legacy of what once was Green Bay's finest hotel — and one of the grandest in the state. Part of the Schroeder Hotel chain, the Hotel Northland was known as “Green Bay’s $1,000,000 hotel” when it opened in March 1924. It would be host to famous visitors, including Lon Chaney, Eleanor Roosevelt, and JFK. It would also be closely associated with the Green Bay Packers, in the capacity of early NFL meetings, and functioning as the hotel for opposing teams. The Northland Hotel closed in 1972. After changing hands, it eventually became the Port Plaza Towers. On February 14th, 2019 it opened its doors to the community again after a years-long renovation.”
The Packers Heritage Trail plaque on the corner of the building... at the corner of Pine Street and South Adams Street.
The South Adams Street entrance. We would love it if they recreated the neon sign that sat atop the entrance roof.
Welcome mat on South Adams Street.
Tasteful signage on South Adams Street.
South Adams Street entrance.
Hotel Northland reflections.
Hotel Northland lobby.
Hotel Northland lobby — Pine Street entrance.
Hotel Northland lobby, and front desk.
Old fashioned mail slots behind front desk.
Hotel Northland lobby.
Hotel Northland lobby.
Hotel Northland lobby.
Hotel Northland lobby.
The Hotel Northland’s fine dining restaurant — The Walnut Room.
The Hotel Northland’s fine dining restaurant — The Walnut Room.
The Hotel Northland’s fine dining restaurant — The Walnut Room.
Original tile on the lobby floors.
Another view of the Hotel Northland’s front desk.
Hotel Northland lobby, looking toward the Pine Street entrance.
Steps up into the Hotel Northland lobby.
Hotel Northland mezzanine level.
Hotel Northland mezzanine level.
Looking down from the Hotel Northland mezzanine level.
Looking down from the Hotel Northland mezzanine level.
Looking down from the Hotel Northland mezzanine level.
Looking down from the Hotel Northland mezzanine level.
Looking down from the Hotel Northland mezzanine level.
Looking down from the Hotel Northland mezzanine level.
Hotel Northland mezzanine level original tile.
Hotel Northland interior.
Hotel Northland event rooms.
Hotel Northland event rooms.
Hotel Northland event rooms.
Hotel Northland event rooms.
Hotel Northland lounge area.
Hotel Northland lounge area.
Hotel Northland lobby light fixtures.
Hotel Northland original ceilings.
Hotel Northland small light fixture.
Hotel Northland staircase design.
Mail chute which comes from the upper hotel floors...
(Detail of mail chute on upper floors)
... and lands in this U.S. Mail Letter Box in the hotel lobby. According to the Smithsonian: “As urban business centers flourished in the 19th century and buildings grew vertically, rather than horizontally in response to growing urban land values, the Post Office Department sought an easier way for occupants to mail their letters. It was more convenient to collect the mail inside the office buildings instead of forcing tenants to deposit their mail in boxes on the street or post offices. The answer was the creation of mail chutes that would extend from the top floor to a receiving box located at ground level. The first mail chute was installed in the Elwood Building in Rochester, New York in 1884.”
Source:
https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibits/current/customers-and-communities/serving-the-cities/overcoming-congestion/cutler-mailbox-and-chute.html
Hotel Northland lobby elevators with mail letter box.
Hotel Northland elevator door.
The South Adams Street entrance.
Just inside the above entrance is where we find the Poke the Bear Bar & Restaurant.
Poke the Bear Bar & Restaurant.
Hotel Northland electronic signs.
Hotel Northland electronic signs.
Looking up at the Hotel Northland’s southwest corner.
The Pine Street side of the Hotel Northland.
Completing the tour of the buildings public areas, we see the backside of the Hotel Northland.
The Hotel Northland in downtown Green Bay, Wisconsin.
