In June 1986, the doors to the historic Coronado Hotel, known for its mid-20th century glamour, closed. Students of Saint Louis University-which had bought the building in 1964 and designated it Lewis Hall-had served as the building’s final tenants.

Sixteen years later, students may occupy its halls again. Renovation of the 76-year-old building will begin at the end of this month, and by June 2002, 64 apartments will be available for rent.

The apartments are part of the first phase of a $27 million plan to renovate the entire 300,000-square-foot complex. Amrit and Amy Gill, owners and managers of several local residential units such as nearby Lindell Towers, bought the Coronado Hotel in February.

Amy Gill said that approximately 50 students had stopped by the hotel earlier this week just to see the building-a sign that she considers promising.

“We’re still in the planning process,” she said. “Apartments will be available for students who are looking for housing that’s close to campus.”

The 15-story tower section of the hotel will include four two-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartment on each floor. The top floor of the tower will be converted to four penthouse lofts.

Gill has spoken to students living in Lindell Towers regarding their living needs. Right now, possibilities for the building include a convenience store, such as a Straub’s, a banquet facility, ballroom, restaurant and bar, and fitness center in the basement. “We’re also hoping to get something like a St. Louis Bread Company,” Gill said.

Although the apartments will not be restricted to student-occupants, Gill said that she and her husband do want to make students aware that such apartments exist.

As an international and graduate student at Washington University, Amrit Gill received no assistance from the school in finding housing.

“We would always go past [the Coronado Hotel] and think, `That’s such a beautiful building,'” Gill said. “Plus, you can’t own Lindell Towers and not love the students.”

Kathy Humphrey, vice president of student development, said that the opening of the new Coronado apartments does not pose any major threat to Saint Louis University. “Because there are students who live off campus now, I don’t believe this will cause the University any concern,” she stated.

When SLU purchased the building in 1964 under then-president Paul C. Reinert, S.J., the Coronado Hotel was originally intended to house the School of Divinity.

Two years later, the Coronado opened its doors as a home for religious, married and graduate students. The dormitory became coed in 1974 and eventually housed undergraduate students. The building was renamed Lewis Memorial Hall in honor of the late Mr. And Mrs. Frank J. Lewis, benefactors of the University.

During its use as a dormitory, the Coronado Hotel contained a co-op that offered food and beverages, a cafeteria, a lounge area located in the building’s lobby, and a coffee/dessert shop in the basement. The office of University’s housing director’s was also situated in Lewis Hall.

Saint Louis University archivist John Waide was an undergraduate student during the early 70s when the University owned Coronado Hotel, known then as Lewis Hall.

“My recollection was that virtually all of the building was used for student housing,” Waide said. “There were certain floors or sets of rooms reserved for married students or students with families.”

Waide described the dormitory rooms as “typical hotel rooms from the `20s to `40s.” “They all had sleeping areas and individual bathroom facilities,” he said. “You could tell that it had been a high-class hotel. It was well-built and well-planned out . but then even by the mid-`70s it was 50 years old.”

As an apartment complex for the present, Waide said that the Coronado Hotel has definite possibilities.