Hotel Menlo
historic place
The Hotel Menlo, a historic place in Oakland, California, is located at 344 13th Street in Alameda County. Completed in 1914, the seven-story building was constructed by Myers and White Company and operated by J.R. Points. Designed in the Renaissance Revival style, the Hotel Menlo reflects Oakland's commercial development in the early 20th century. It was one of several hotels built to accommodate visitors for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. The building originally included ground-floor retail and hotel rooms. It is notable for having the oldest working elevator in Oakland. The Hotel Menlo later became a residential hotel and then the Empyrean Towers Apartments, now offering affordable housing. In December 2020, the Hotel Menlo was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its architecture and role in accommodating visitors during a period of city growth mark its historical significance.