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The Bellevue was once Philly's grandest hotel. After a lengthy renovation, it's grand again

The fortunes of the Bellevue hotel seem to track Philadelphia’s own history. When it first opened in 1904, Philadelphia was one of America’s richest cities, and the Bellevue was its first Parisian-style grand hotel. After guests were sickened by Legionnaires’ disease during the Bicentennial in 1976, the hotel spiraled, mirroring Philadelphia’s own industrial decline. For many years, the building’s future seemed unclear. But after an ambitious renovation by developer Lubert-Adler, the Bellevue is grand again.
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    Erin Reynolds
    Bluesky
    I produce video series in partnership with desks across our newsroom that answer key questions about Philadelphia and the region. There are many ways to tell a story — I’m all about finding the one that enhances your daily scroll.
    Inga Saffron
    Instagram
    I write about the design of buildings and places, and what those designs tell us about our culture, our values, and our policy choices.
    Gabe Coffey
    Instagram
    I am a Videojournalist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, focusing on telling visual stories of residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. I also specialize in motion graphics to help tell stories.