SLO’s tallest downtown building is under construction — and it’s not the first time

The more-than a-century-old Anderson Hotel building is currently undergoing renovation to continue to provide affordable housing through the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo.

The tallest building in downtown San Luis Obispo originally had a smaller footprint.

It opened in 1923 at the corner of Monterey and Morro streets and it was apparently successful enough that owner Jeff L. Anderson decided to build a 40-room addition on Monterey Street that includes the Spanish-style tower on Monterey Street and a wing of the building that extends to the Court Street.

The hotel was a popular waypoint for famous guests on the way to Hearst Castle. Guests included actors Clark Gable and Marlene Dietrich.

Anderson was business savvy, and the project went forward even as the nation stumbled with a crippling stock market crash in 1929 and fell into the decade-long Great Depression.

Construction moved quickly. Plans to expand were floated April 5, 1929. Construction took a mere six months, and the addition opened June 14, 1930.

Nothing on the block competed in size until the much-later Court Street project was completed in June 2005.

This story ran without a byline on the front page of the Daily Telegram on Jan. 7, 1930.

Anderson plans big addition: Hotel will build two new wings

First steps towards the construction of a modern new Spanish hotel for San Luis Obispo were taken Monday night, when Jeff Anderson, owner of the Anderson Hotel, made application to the City Council for permit to build an addition of 40 rooms on his present structure and to remodel the building.

The permit was granted by the city fathers and Howard S. Hazen, prominent architect of Sacramento, will arrive in San Luis Obispo Saturday to open the bids received by Mr. Anderson from contractors for the work.

Work will commence as soon as possible and the improved hotel will be completed by June 1, with the building finished and all equipment installed ready for occupancy.

Mr. Anderson plans extensive improvements in the present building, the major portion of these to include the remodeling and enlargement of the lobby.

Enlarged Lobby

The present office, dressing room and doctor’s office on Monterey Street will be removed, providing a spacious lobby which is to be refinished in Spanish style.

All marble in the present lobby will be removed and replaced with Spanish tile, the beauty of which will be supplemented with wrought iron railings.

The dining room as it now stands, will be extended to Court Street, providing a banquet room 32 feet wide and 60 feet long.

A unit of rooms will be built on Court Street back of the I.O.O.F hall, and between that and the new unit on Monterey Street there will be a patio 45-by-30 feet in size.

Spanish Character

This patio will further the Spanish idea with its center fountain, shrubbery and ornamentations, while a loggia, next to the dining room, will open on the patio with French doors. The Loggia will be 10 feet by 30 feet in size.

A new elevator will be installed in the front of the building and a newspaper and cigar stand will add a metropolitan touch to the hotel which will combine the charm of Old Spanish architecture with modern conveniences.

The sidewalk elevator now on Monterey Street will also be moved to Court Street as an improvement to the contemplated new entrance.

The ladies’ dressing room will be moved to the space on Morro Street former occupied by the McKie Tailoring shop, and the office will be installed just back of the barber shop.

New Heating Plant

A new heating plant of increased size, to take care of the additional rooms will be installed while innumerable other improvements are also included in Mr. Anderson’s plans.

A dust-proof partition is to be used while work is being carried on during the coming months, he declares, in order that no inconvenience may be had by the regular patrons.

Rebuilding of the San Luis Obispo’s famous Anderson Hotel will be one of the most important construction projects of the new year and announcement of Mr. Anderson’s program has been received with great interest, not only by the residents of this city, but by visiting guests throughout the entire state.