FIVE GENERATIONS OF NEW ORLEANS SOUL

After a few real estate investments, Antonio purchased the Hotel Victor, located on the corner of Iberville and Royal Streets while selling shoes on the first floor.

Antonio expanded Hotel Victor from a three-story to a five-story hotel and changed the hotel’s name to the Commercial Hotel at a rate of $1 per night.

Monteleone began a massive overhaul of the Commercial Hotel. He had already worked on the building some five years prior, but the construction was much smaller by comparison—Monteleone had only added 30 guestrooms. The second round of renovations proved far more expansive, as it added an ornamental Beaux-Arts facade, 220 guest rooms with electric lighting, telephones and attached bathrooms to 160 rooms. The main building and lobby were designed by Wogen & Toledano and provided unheard of luxury for the early 1900s.

Newly designed, The Commercial Hotel is renamed the Hotel Monteleone and touts “steam heat, private baths, electric elevators and electric lights” among its features. Sculptor Antonio Puccio carved the massive and ornate grandfather clock seen in the lobby today in the Moneleone’s on-site cabinet shop.

Antonio Monteleone dies. The Daily Picayune announced his death on July 21, 1913 that read: “Pioneer shoe manufacturer, hotel proprietor, banker, promoter and man of affairs generally, Mr. Monteleone held a conspicuous place in public life of New Orleans and everybody knew him, either personally or by reputation. His rise to financial greatness is a story of ingenious struggle, tireless energy and the close application of natural talents to a high purpose.”

Antonio’s son, Frank Monteleone, eventually assumed control over the business and would then oversee the addition of another 200 luxurious guestrooms throughout the decade. By 1926, the lots at 222-224, 226 and 232 Royal were purchased. This allowed for an addition of 200 rooms and fourteen floors.

Bartender Walter Bergeron created the Vieux Carre cocktail, which still is the signature cocktail of The Carousel Bar today.

1949

Hotel Monteleone introduced the country’s first and only revolving bar and the Carousel Bar has been rotating every 15 minutes ever since. A single motor still turns the two thousand rollers beneath the floor, moving the barstools on a track around a central stationary bar.

The Swan Room re-opens with celebrities, such as Jane Russell, Joanne Dru and Robert Mitchum in attendance.

1956

The hotel underwent a fourth addition from Exchange Alley down Iberville Street to Royal Street, its greatest construction project to date. It added 200 rooms, a dining room and cocktail lounges, including the Swan Room, where Liberace was a frequent performer.

William “Billy” Monteleone, Antonio’s grandson, takes over hotel operations after his father Frank’s death. Billy adds six stories to the nine story portion on Royal and Iberville streets.

The rooftop was developed to include a presidential suite, wading pool, putting green and Sky Lite Lounge.

Louis Prima performed regularly at the Sky Lite Lounge.

The hotel created the Literary Suites to pay tribute to the famous writers that frequented the hotel — Eudora Welty, Truman Capote, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner.

After several designs over the decade, The Carousel Bar was redesigned how we see it today with carvings of eight jester faces into the overhanging outer room and eight cherubs smiling out from the inner post.

The hotel is mentioned in the works of many acclaimed authors, including Eudora Welty, Anne Rice, William Faulkner, Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams. Hotel Monteleone is designated a National Literary Landmark by the American Library Association, just one of three hotels in the country to hold this honor.

A spa, that is now home to Spa Aria, was added after a $70 million renovation.

The hotel celebrates its 125th anniversary and is one of the few remaining family-owned and operated hotels in New Orleans.

Criollo Restaurant opens adjacent to the Carousel Bar & Lounge, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Iberville Tower completes a full renovation of its guest rooms and meeting spaces. Guests enjoy beautifully appointed rooms and exclusive perks, such as a dedicated front desk and elevator, welcome amenity, as well as daily turndown service.

The Carousel Bar celebrates 75 years of spinning and sipping.

The Monteleone turns 140. Part of the celebration of this milestone includes a new website with a refreshed brand with a nod to our storied past and an eye to the future.