The Waldo Hotel was one of West Virginia's premier hotels. Located in downtown Clarksburg, the Beaux-Arts style, seven-story building was constructed from 1901 to 1904 and was designed by Harrison Albright and financed by Judge Nathan Goff, Jr., a millionaire lawyer and businessman. The hotel was built for $400,000 - a tidy sum at the time, and when completed, the Waldo gained the distinction as being one of the most luxurious in the state. It was well noted for its lavish weddings, social events and political gatherings.

 

1 Waldo Hotel in 1914

 

After its use as a hotel waned, the Waldo was converted into apartments of various sizes. Portions of the interior were renovated, and a modern HVAC system was installed.

 

In 2000, the ailing Waldo was purchased for a mere $150,000 by the McCabe Land Company, who wanted to save the historic hotel from being demolished. It was sold to the Vandalia Heritage Foundation for $195,000 a year later.

 

The Foundation presented plans for a full restoration of the Waldo, which would cost approximately $22 million. Involved in the restoration would be a complete gut and rehabilitation of the interior, exterior repairs and a new roof. A partial repair of the roof was completed as part of the first phase, costing $100,000 and funded through state historic preservation grants. In 2010, contractors for the Foundation removed metal piping and heating units throughout the buildings for money in order to jump start further repairs to the Waldo.

 

Unfortunately, it seems that the recession has led to little to no work being done on the Waldo. An interior walk-through revealed that while the building remains in solid condition, there are numerous deficiencies that need to be immediately addressed. The roof, while in good condition, needs further repair to stop further water intrusion. That has led to water infiltration in most of the upper floors.

 

1 The North 4th Street lobby for the Waldo.

 

2 A view from the mezzanine.

 

3 After years of abandonment, the Waldo is still just as colorful and beautiful.

 

4 A view of the North 4th Street lobby.

 

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10 What leads individuals and businesses to cover up ornate detail work for the ceiling?

 

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12 The former ballroom, with renovation tragedies.

 

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14 Tragic.

 

15 A loss of drywall due to water intrusion has left this staircase vulnerable.

 

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19 Room 409

 

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22 One of two haphazard loft units in the Waldo.

 

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24 Wild, Wonderful West Virginia

 

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28 Surely there was a better way to incorporate fire doors than this awful renovation.

 

29 By all means, use construction lights in lieu of compatable lighting fixtures. And be sure to drill through the HVAC unit for the fixture.

 

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Relevant pages:

a. Waldo Hotel: http://www.abandonedonline.net/commercial/waldo-hotel/

 

Blog entries:

b. The Waldo: http://www.abandonedonline.net/2011/07/06/the-waldo/

Even in its present condition, better than a lot of new hotels.

Agreed.