The Incredible Hotel In Massachusetts That Has Been Left In Ruins
By Kim Falchek|Published March 15, 2024
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Kim Falchek
Author
Kim Falchek has been exploring the towns, trails, and hidden gems of Massachusetts since her college days in Boston. When not writing, Kim enjoys photography, going on road trips, and spending time at the beach. Kim has previously been a contributing writer for LA Family Travel, Global Munchkins, and Latched Mama. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts where she and her family embrace all things Halloween!
We all know that Boston is one of the most historic cities in the country. We are incredibly lucky to have so many amazing museums and landmarks to visit to learn about important past events. However, sometimes history is hiding in plain sight in places we pass by daily. While many prominent buildings in the city have been well maintained and preserved, others have been ignored and neglected. The Hotel Alexandra in Boston’s South End/Roxbury neighborhood is one of these unfortunate souls. I was very interested in finding the story behind this building, so I did some digging.
If you have passed by the corner of Mass. Ave and Washington Streets, you have probably noticed a large old building in a sad state of disrepair. The windows are boarded up and graffiti often covers parts of the interior. The building is dirty and crumbling and has been an eyesore in the neighborhood for many years.
Opened in 1875, the historic Walworth Building, more commonly known as the Hotel Alexandra, is a five-story Victorian Gothic structure. If you can see past the layers of neglect, you will discover that the building was once quite stunning. The facade is made from sandstone and there are beautiful arches and other period details.
Hotel Alexandra was opened and operated by a man named Caleb Walworth. He was co-founder of the innovative Walworth Manufacturing, a company that helped engineer steam technology. It is said that Walworth was very proud of his British lineage and named the hotel “Alexandra” after Princess Alexandra of England.
The hotel was quite a prominent feature in the newly built South-End neighborhood. Affluent guests enjoyed beautiful high ceilings, stream heat, mechanical dumbwaiters, and an elevator.
The bottom floor of the building housed two local businesses.
So how did such a magnificent hotel become such an abandoned eyesore? The truth is, no one can really say for sure. The hotel had a pretty good 25-year run but began to decline when the elevated train opened outside its doors in 1900. The neighborhood became loud and dirty and tenants no longer found it a desirable place to live. The hotel continued to spiral downward and eventually shut its doors. It has remained abandoned and neglected for decades. The building has been the victim of vandalism, a break-in, and several fires.
In 2008, the Church of Scientology bought the dilapidated building as an intended spot for its headquarters. This sale proved quite controversial among locals. As it turned out, the church was unable to raise enough funds to restore the building and ended up selling it. Rumor has it that the building may finally be restored and turned into condominiums.
Are you familiar with the old Hotel Alexandra? Can you picture the building as a once grand hotel? If you enjoyed learning about the Hotel Alexandra, you might also like exploring the old Rutland Prison Camp in Rutand State Park and the abandoned bear cages at the Franklin Park Zoo. If you are up for a drive, you can visit multiple abandoned properties during this creepy road trip.
