As our readers hopefully have noticed—and in this case, two readers, Harry Nadler and Helene Sherman, did—we sometimes go back into our vast Jewish Light archives and find an old newspaper advertisement that makes us chuckle. This time, it was an ad from 1971 about the Sunday buffet at the Colony Motor Hotel. We asked if anyone remembered the buffet or the hotel, and we got two great responses. But as we dug deeper, we discovered many Jewish connections and life events that once filled its banquet halls.
From mid-century marvel to contemporary luxury
Situated in the heart of Clayton at 7730 Bonhomme Ave., the Colony Motor Hotel was more than just a lodging establishment; it was a symbol of civic pride and connection for the St. Louis Jewish community. Constructed in 1965, the building stood tall as the tallest structure in St. Louis County at the time, its sculpted concrete design marking a bold architectural milestone, as highlighted in a 1965 St. Louis Post-Dispatch feature.
A hub for celebrations
For decades, the Colony Motor Hotel was a hub for Jewish life in St. Louis, hosting countless weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs and communal gatherings. The hotel’s elegant banquet halls often graced the announcements and event pages of the Jewish Light throughout most of the 1960s.
Harry Nadler enjoyed one such event and shared his story with us:
“My wife, Ellen Braun Nadler, and I stayed at the Colony Hotel on our wedding night in 1965,” he shared. “Our wedding was Sunday, so we missed the famed brunch.” The couple checked in late that evening, expecting a quiet night, but fate had a different plan.
“As we arrived and got in the elevator to go to the registration desk, another couple figured we had just gotten married and made a comment,” Nadler recalled. “Ellen was 20, and I had just turned 21. She started blushing and was a little embarrassed.”
The brief encounter added a touch of humor to the evening, but the real challenge came when Ellen confessed her post-wedding hunger.
“Ellen was complaining that she was starving and hadn’t eaten anything at the wedding, which was late afternoon and ran until about 9:30 or so. I don’t recall what we did to get her some food, but we did,” Nadler chuckled. “Several weeks later, when the wedding photos arrived, it was quite evident that she had eaten, as many pictures showed her doing so.”
Architectural and cultural significance
Designed with a modernist flair, the Colony Motor Hotel’s concrete facade was considered innovative, leaving a lasting architectural impact on the area. The 1965 Post-Dispatch article highlighted its significance as the first major application of sculpted concrete in St. Louis.
Today, the building lives on as Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton, preserving much of its original structure and connection to the community’s memories. Danielle Minninger, marketing manager at Le Méridien, notes that despite its transformation, the hotel’s essence remains.
“We constantly hear stories from guests who had their bar mitzvahs or weddings here and remember specific parts of the building,” said Minninger. “The basic structural ‘bones’ of the building have remained intact, preserving its storied past.”
A wedding of elegance, a lifetime of memories
For Helene Sherman, the Colony Motor Hotel is more than a memory—it’s a symbol of a moment filled with love and joy.
“My wedding reception was held at the Colony Hotel on Aug. 7, 1966,” she recalls. “My husband, Carl Sherman, and both our families considered the Colony to be very beautiful, elegant and special. And it was. It was also thought to be somewhat expensive but not overly costly. Seeing those 1966 prices today is somewhat shocking. For the price of an entire meal anywhere, not just the Colony, one might get a cup of coffee and toast today. My memories of the Colony reception are ones of happiness and love.”
Years later, she returned to the hotel, now transformed, and found herself caught between past and present.
“I recently went to the Colony for lunch,” she said. “The building is so different now that at first, I kept thinking I’d been there before. I had to laugh at myself after it came to me that I was once again at the hotel where we partied after the temple wedding service and didn’t know it at first. Then I could see some things still that I remembered. That experience brought some tears and smiles, too.”
Nostalgic tokens: Matchbooks and postcards
Vintage matchbooks and postcards from the Colony Motor Hotel are now sought-after collectibles, offering nostalgic glimpses into the hotel’s vibrant social life. Minninger mentioned finding old blueprints and postcards dating back to 1969.
“These are some of the only items left that connect directly to its former life as the Colony,” she explained.
Evolution into Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton
Though the Colony Motor Hotel is no more, the significance of its legacy is still recognized by those who pass through its doors.
“It started as the Colony, became a Holiday Inn, then the Sheraton, and now us—Le Méridien,” said Minninger. “The latest $20 million renovation has not erased its past but instead given it a new life while keeping its essence intact, such as retaining core structural features.”
Share your memories
Did you attend an event at the Colony Motor Hotel? Do you have treasured photographs, stories or memorabilia? We invite you to share your memories as we celebrate this iconic landmark and its enduring impact on our community. Send to [email protected]
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