Oldtown -

The Merchants Hotel (1880) (1884) is located at 123 NW Second Avenue. The property site address is 121 - 139 NW Second Avenue. The Merchants Hotel is my token Historic Landmark in the Portland Skidmore/Old Town Historic District (added 1975 - Multnomah County); Also known as Skidmore Fountain/Old Town Historic District roughly bounded by Harbor Drive, Everett, Third Avenue, and Oak Street, Portland (440 acres, 30 buildings, 1 object).

In 1880, natives of Saxony, German brothers Louis, Adolph, and Theodore Nicolai began construction of the Merchants Hotel. This building took four years to build. Completed in 1885, the hotel provided first class accommodations for its guests. One of Portland's first hydraulic elevators attracted visitors, as did the ornate lobby and a dancing and assembly room, reported to be the most popular in the city.

The hotel grew to encompass the entire north one-half of the block by 1889. The hotel was equipped with hydraulic Passenger and Baggage Elevators, Electric Call Bells, and every appliance for the comfort and convenience of guests. The large hotel was only a few (three) blocks from the railroad depot and steamer landings.

Except for the removal of the sheet-metal cornice, the building appears much as it did originally. The lower floor cast-iron columns, and doorway arches, show the Willamette Iron Works mark. This pattern was used considerably by architect, Warren Williams, who was likely the building architect. With the wide glass areas afforded by the iron columns, this building was typical of many in this part of the city before the turn of the century.