The Bellevue Stratford Hotel at the southwest corner of Broad and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia opened as a luxury hotel in 1904. First owned and operated by George C. Boldt, the hotel represented a union of the "old" Bellevue (at the northwest corner of Broad and Walnut) with the Stratford Hotel on the southwest site, which was demolished for the Bellevue's construction. The Bellevue Stratford, built in the French Renaissance style and now a national historic landmark, served for many years as a focus for hosting local, national, and international events with their attendant celebrities. By mid century, however, the hotel exhibited signs of decline. In 1976, still failing, the hotel was closed by the Department of Health which found the Bellevue responsible for thirty-five deaths from Legionnaires' Disease. In 1986 new owners closed the hotel for major renovations, reopening it in 1989 as the Hotel Atop the Bellevue. Subsequent changes in management in 1996 altered its name to The Park Hyatt Philadelphia at The Bellevue.
From the description of Bellevue Memorabilia Collection, 1884-2005 bulk 1900-2004. (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). WorldCat record id: 225620212
