Once Abandoned And Left To Decay, The Divine Lorraine Hotel In Pennsylvania Has Been Restored To Its Former Glory

We’ve all likely driven past abandoned buildings and perhaps have wondered about their past, such as the Lorraine Hotel in Pennsylvania. Who lived there? Was it a business? Why was it left forgotten? Not all abandoned buildings in Pennsylvania have merely been forgotten over time, some have been restored to their former glory. This restored hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for example, has again leaped to life.

Tucked on the corner of Broad Street and Fairmount Avenue, the Lorraine Hotel in Pennsylvania has quite the tale to tell, and it all begins in the late 1890s when it was built as a luxury apartment.

Many of Philadelphia’s wealthiest residents lived in the apartment building, which at the time was widely considered one of the most luxurious in the city.

That, however, was just the beginning of the divine Lorraine's long and storied history.

In 1948, ownership changed hands when Father Divine, the founder of the International Peace Missions Movement, purchased the building. Originally from Rockville, Maryland, Father Divine was originally known as George Baker.

With the purchase of the building came a name change to the Divine Lorraine Hotel.

Unlike many other apartments and hotels, the Divine Lorraine welcomed everyone regardless of race or religion. At the time Father Divine owned the building, it had both permanent residents and guests.

Father Divine passed away in 1965, and for the next half a century, the Divine Lorraine would continue the mission of the International Peace Missions Movement before the hotel was permanently shuttered in 1999.

It became one of the abandoned places in Pennsylvania.

In the ensuing years, the building was sold several times.

Today, the Divine Lorraine Hotel in Pennsylvania is again a hotel, now known as the Mint House at the Divine Lorraine Hotel.

It operates with the motto “an apartment hotel that feels like home.”

One- and two-bedroom units with full kitchens are available as are long-term stays.

The rooms have up to three times the space of a standard hotel, complete with full kitchens, and large living areas, obviously no longer one of the abandoned places in Pennsylvania.

And get a load of the view overlooking the Philadelphia skyline.

Learn more on the Mint House at the Divine Lorraine Hotel website.

Have you been to the Divine Lorraine Hotel in Pennsylvania? What did you think of the beautifully renovated space? Did you enjoy the penthouse dining at its on-site restaurant, Cicala? Let us know in the comments below!

While you’re in the city, visit these 10 abandoned places in Philadelphia that are being reclaimed by Mother Nature. And reserve a room on Booking.com.