High Tea at the Bellevue

Two views of the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel's Palm Court or "Garden Room."

The spectacular Viennese Tea-Room of the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel...

The Viennese Tea-Room & Palm Court

Afternoon tea, a tradition of High Society for endless years... This tradition followed to the Bellevue-Stratford when she was opened as a five-star hotel business in the Summer of 1904. Mrs. Louise Kehrer Boldt was instrumental during her short life in bringing ladies to the Hotel with beautiful fabrics, decorations and suitable rooms for the Hotel's female clientele. The Viennese Tea-Room and Palm Court are evidence of the unbridled luxury and opulence of the long-lost Gilded Age...

When one walked into the Main Entrance of the Bellevue-Stratford they first most-likely saw the three large arched glass entrance ways to the Viennese Tea-Room. This room on its own clearly shows the level of detail and beauty being delivered during the height and glory of the Gilded Age and Edwardian Era! The walls were adorned with plaster bas-relief and delicate gilt finish decorations along with expensive Aubusson tapestries of Viennese forest life and nature. The high columns were dark green with white streaks and gilt plasterwork capitals, while gilt-finish balustrade balconies and plaster decorations adorned the Mezzanine floor above. The ceiling in itself was a masterpiece with frescoes and beautiful golden colours and finish. The furniture like everything else was furnished by John Wanamaker, owner of the then prestigious Wanamaker's Department Store! Beaux-Arts lighting gave the room a cosy and lofty feel and was a perfect setting for afternoon tea and light desserts! The immense interior beyond captivated the simplicity of the splendour of the Bellevue-Stratford...

Through tall glass entrance doors with archways stood the charming Palm Court or "Garden Room." This room was entirely faced in incredibly beautiful grey tones of Caen stone. The columns decorated with Greek-styled motifs of scroll-work and decorations. The low ceiling which was barrel-vaulted had a characteristic all its own, very different to your usual run-of-the-mill stained glass ceilings of the Plaza, and the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotels! The beautiful natural feel was accented more so by hanging vines, dozens of beautiful palms and ferns and ivy growing up the tall stone columns. Light of the time was a novelty and was expressed as such with the large picturesque windows with their stained-glass transoms that looked out onto the Bellevue Court from the west... The ceiling during the mid-1900's would be given a facelift by the introduction of in-direct lighting which in its infancy was far more superior then the lighting we see today. Pediments of wrought-iron and wooden paneling with glass inset gave the space a much beloved character and a popular setting for High Tea at the Bellevue...

The splendour and opulence of these two interiors alone gave even the oldest and most grandiose hotels a run for their money! All of this of course would be sadly remodeled and destroyed to make way for "better" modern styles...

Before 1986, these two interiors largely remained the same... Their decorations and lofty charm seemingly proved too much to upkeep or maintain. Plans by the Richard I. Rubin Co. distorted this entire area for retail and "high quality" shops, including a "gourmet" food court in the basement. The Viennese Tea-Room suffered the worst of this remodeling and renovation... The entirety of the charming space was gutted and dismantled for the installation of a modern escalator for easier access. All the time and effort put into that room, historically speaking was thrown down the garbage disposal! The Palm Court suffered but relatively remained intact. All of the details though, including the Caen stone finish was painted over in droves of cream and white. Its array of views onto the Bellevue Court blocked by the Tiffany and Co. building and now today houses the high-end retail and business of Williams-Sonoma.

Indeed a great tragedy. A disgusting and disgraceful tragedy more so then anything...