The Metropole Hotel was located at the NW corner of 13th and Jefferson. It was owned by Robert Smilie, a builder and real estate developer, and opened September 1, 1892. 5
It was constructed with Remillard bricks, and lavishly appointed. It included a Hall hydro-steam elevator. 5
According to the San Francisco Call in an article published on May 13, 1913:
The Metropole property has an interesting history, having changed hands but four times since it was secured by grant from the United States to the famous Peralta family. From the Peralta family it was transferred to the Bigelow estate, from the Bigelow interests to other owners from whom R.H. Smilie purchased it to build upon it the Metropole hotel. The hotel building cost in the neighborhood of $70,000 and was, for a long time, Oakland's principal hotel. 1
It was sold in 1913 for $100,000 from the Smilie estate to Frank W. Bilger of Blake and Bilger (see Bilger Quarry), and John W. Phillips of the Central National Bank of Oakland. (see article for more info) 1
In 1903, Richard M. Briare was the proprietor. The staff included:
- Richard M. Briare - proprietor
- Milton Balcom - clerk
- Jules Boulanger - chef
- Frank Doyle - clerk
- Alex Konsta - bookkeeper
- Anton Lex - cook
- Patrick Maher - waiter
- Earle McGarl - employee
- Robert W. Miller - bookkeeper
Quite a few people lived at the Metropole, including Daniel E. Easterbrook.
Like many other large wooden structures in Oakland, it was destroyed by fire in October 1918. 4 See Oakland Fire Department by Capt. Geoffrey Hunter, Arcadia Series. 2
Links and References
- Metropole Hotel is Sold by Local Firm San Francisco Call, May 31, 1913
- Oakland Fire Department by Captain Geoffrey Hunter, Arcadia Series
- Illustrated Directory of Oakland via DavidRumsey.com
- Scores In Danger In Blazing Metropole Oakland Tribune October 16, 1918 (p2)
- Metropole Hotel Oakland Tribune August 27, 1892