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The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center Celebrates 30 Years Since 1995 Reopening: A Legacy of Resilience, Partnership, and Community Impact

The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Curio Collection by Hilton, proudly marks the 30th anniversary of its grand reopening on April 3, 1995, celebrating a historic public-private partnership that revitalized one of the city’s most treasured landmarks. 

As The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center marks this 30th anniversary, plans for a nearly 10,000-square-foot expansion underscore its ongoing evolution. After completing a $14 million guest room renovation at the end of 2024, the hotel will enclose the north courtyard with a stunning glass structure and a part of the lower level conference center, adding indoor-outdoor recreation and additional conference space to ensure it continues to meet modern demands while honoring its legacy.

Since its reopening in April 1995, the Conference Center has been a catalyst for economic growth, a premier meeting destination, and a testament to Roanoke’s spirit of renewal and progress.

“This milestone anniversary celebrates not only the enduring charm of a historic landmark but also its transformative contributions to the city of Roanoke, made possible through an unprecedented private-public partnership that turned a fading icon into a thriving centerpiece of Virginia’s Blue Ridge,” said Wells.

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A RICH HISTORY REBORN

Originally opened in 1882 by the Norfolk and Western Railway, The Hotel Roanoke was designed by Philadelphia architect George T. Pearson in the Tudor Revival style, welcoming guests on Christmas Day of that year. Built to serve the influx of over a thousand railroad workers drawn to Roanoke’s burgeoning rail hub, the hotel quickly became a symbol of Southern hospitality. Over the decades, it weathered challenges—including a devastating 1898 fire and multiple expansions—hosting luminaries like Dwight Eisenhower, Nelson Rockefeller, and several U.S. vice presidents.

By the late 1980s, however, the hotel faced decline. Occupancy dwindled, and costly renovations loomed. In 1989, Norfolk Southern, the successor to the original railway, deeded the property to the Virginia Tech Real Estate Foundation for a modest $65,000, with a catch: secure funding within four years, or ownership would revert, likely spelling demolition for the aging structure. The hotel closed its doors on November 30, 1989, its future uncertain.

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A COMMUNITY RALLIES: Renew Roanoke, The Private-Public Partnership

The rebirth of The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center is a testament to visionary collaboration. In 1992, the "Renew Roanoke" campaign launched, uniting Virginia Tech, the City of Roanoke, local businesses, and citizens in a race against time. With a deadline of December 31, 1992, and a $6 million shortfall looming by late fall, the community stepped up. An extraordinary Christmas-time fundraiser raised $5.006 million, bolstered by Norfolk Southern’s $2 million contribution—30 times the price it had received for the property. Combined with public funding and Virginia Tech’s leadership, the project amassed over $41 million, including $28 million to remodel the hotel and $13 million to construct the adjacent 63,000-square-foot Conference Center of Roanoke.

A pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks was added, linking the revitalized complex to downtown Roanoke near the Wachovia Tower. On April 3, 1995, The Hotel Roanoke reopened under the DoubleTree brand (later transitioning to Hilton’s Curio Collection in 2016), emerging stronger than ever with modern amenities while preserving its historic allure.

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CONTRIBUTIONS TO ROANOKE: An Economic and Cultural Anchor

Since its 1995 reopening, The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center has been a catalyst for Roanoke’s growth. An economic impact study by the Roanoke Regional Commission estimated its total contribution at $616 million by 2015, with $40 million in 2014 alone. The facility has generated over $36 million in local taxes and sustained 250–300 direct jobs annually, plus 77 additional jobs through indirect effects. Today, it stands as a premier venue for educational, civic, and business events, drawing visitors who bolster the region’s economy.

Beyond numbers, the hotel and conference center have revitalized downtown Roanoke, anchoring its skyline and serving as a cultural touchstone. “Roanoke wouldn’t be Roanoke without that Tudor-style ‘Grand Old Lady,’” said Mayor David Bowers in 2015. “It’s a mighty fine part of our life, and Roanokers treasure it.” From wedding receptions to political conventions, the hotel remains a beloved gathering place, its Regency Room still serving its signature peanut soup—a nod to its storied past.

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LOOKING AHEAD

As The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center marks this 30th anniversary, plans for a nearly 10,000-square-foot expansion underscore its ongoing evolution. After completing a $14 million guest room renovation at the end of 2024, the hotel will enclose the north courtyard with a stunning glass structure, adding indoor-outdoor recreation and conference space to ensure it continues to meet modern demands while honoring its legacy.

“We celebrate not just a building, but a community’s determination,” added Wells. “The partnership that brought The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center back to life in 1995 remains a model of what’s possible when public vision and private commitment align. Here’s to 30 more years of excellence and many more!”

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The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Curio Collection by Hilton