Hotel St. Matthew
historic place
The Hotel St. Matthew, located at 215-229 Second Avenue in San Mateo, California, stands as a historic place. It was constructed between 1901 and 1906. Initially, it was known as the Wisnom Hotel, named after its builder and owner, Robert Wisnom. The hotel was renamed the Hotel St. Matthew sometime between 1908 and 1920. This new name reflected the nearby creek and churches, both named St. Matthew. This three-story, unreinforced brick building is notable for its architectural features. It is one of the few structures in the area with projecting bay windows. It was also the only three-story building within several blocks, distinguishing it from most surrounding two-story commercial structures built between 1900 and 1940. The Hotel St. Matthew has retained its original architectural character. Today, the historic Hotel St. Matthew has been rehabilitated into the St. Matthew Apartments, providing affordable housing. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This site is significant as the best example of an early 20th-century hotel remaining in San Mateo, and the only hotel surviving from the first decade of that century.