Niagara, The
Also known as: The Hotel Niagara; John's Niagara Hotel; Park's Inn; International; Days Inn-Falls View; Travelodge Hotel
Why it's listed
Rising 190 feet two blocks from Niagara Falls, this 12-story hotel at 201 Rainbow Boulevard was built in 1923-1925. Its curved plan follows the street intersection. A two-story rusticated base of artificial granite and Indiana limestone carries a shaft of red cloister brick, topped by a heavy terra cotta cornice and a three-story penthouse. Structural designer Van Renassalaer P. Saxe used a "System M" steel frame with stone concrete floor arches to reduce cost. The base shows Italian Renaissance Revival detailing, while the plain shaft recalls the Federal style. Inside, a two-story lobby with a mezzanine keeps much of its Adam-style plaster ornament, although later tile, mirrors and new floors cover other original finishes. The hotel was among the last large hotels built in Niagara Falls in its era. It was aimed at business travelers and convention trade as well as tourists, linking it to the city's growth in industry, commerce and tourism, which is why it was listed.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the hotel as one of the last large hotels built in Niagara Falls in the era of grand tourist hotels. It was marketed to business travelers and the convention trade as well as tourists, reflecting the city's industrial growth, commerce and tourism. It is also a tall-building design with Italian Renaissance Revival and Federal/Adam style detailing. The form certifies it as locally significant.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 08001145, listed December 5, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 201 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls |
|---|---|
| County | Niagara County |
| Listed | December 5, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08001145 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Structure designed by Van Renassalaer P. Saxe of the Standard Concrete-Steel Company of Baltimore |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & Early 20th Century Revivals (Italian Renaissance Revival pedestal and cornice, Federal/Adam style shaft and interior plaster) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is listed as work in progress; original plaster ornament in the lobby survives, though many interior finishes and the original windows and marquee have been replaced. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.08674, -79.06114 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 08001145.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7754023
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.