" Downtown's
only full-service hotel is drawing rave reviews "
Cook's rough Diamond
now a polished gem
I first met Wayne Cook four years ago. He invited me to come look at his newest purchase, the Diamond Hotel. I knew him by reputation a self-made millionaire who, from humble beginnings in Durham, became an expert in renovating historic buildings. He restored many old homes near downtown Chico, including Chico State University's language houses on Third Street, and left his mark on the beautiful town of Savannah, Ga.
The century-old Diamond Hotel was his next project. The three-story hull of a building had been closed and abandoned for more than a decade. The windows were boarded and broken. Pigeons lived inside. Cook peeled back a piece of plywood and led me inside, using a flashlight to light our way.
We walked through the building, brushing aside cobwebs, kicking dead pigeons out of our path, slipping on the pigeon poop. He smiled like a proud father and talked about what the building could become, as good or better than it was 100 years ago, when it was the luxury hotel for the north valley.
All the time I was thinking: Is this guy nuts? How did he ever make any money?
Fast-forward four years, and several million dollars. On Friday night, men in suits and women in fancy dresses gathered at the renamed and renovated Hotel Diamond for a celebration in anticipation of the hotel's opening this week.
Cook's vision had been realized. The people gathered around the bar and restaurant unless they saw the inside four years ago had no clue how impossible it all seemed.
When Cook started the project, in June 2001, he figured the hotel would reopen in about two years. Later, he revised that figure and hoped for a grand opening sometime in 2004, on the 100th anniversary of the original Diamond Hotel opening. Even that goal came and went. The more Cook dug into the structure, the more he realized needed to be done. He was determined to do it perfect, or not at all.
Cook gave me, and many others, periodic tours throughout the project. Two weeks ago, with the grand opening date looming, I got to take one last tour. I wondered how the work would get done. Doors were not hung, the hardwood floors were not finished, no tables were in the restaurant, the beds in the rooms were not assembled but by this time I had learned not to doubt Cook. It would get done.
Sure enough, by Friday night the place was stunning. The fine woodwork, doors, glass, window coverings, carpets and hardwood floors were all in place. I envisioned crews working nonstop, 24 hours a day, for two weeks after four years of work, two weeks of madness to top it off.
Through it all, I saw Cook change quite a bit. He's naturally a shy and quiet man, more at home in jeans and a tool belt than a suit and tie. He was idealistic and enthusiastic in the beginning, workmanlike and serious in the middle, nervous and stressed out just two weeks ago, and finally grateful and relieved Friday.
Now the trepidation begins. After spending between $5 million and $10 million on a project that may be his life's work, will it make money? Will he ever be able to repay the money he owes the city and his bankers? Will a high-end hotel be successful in Chico?
I'm probably more confident than Cook. The bar and restaurant will be a downtown hotspot, just because like stepping into a historic building in San Francisco or Eureka or the Gold Country it's such a lovely place to spend an evening. The hotel is unlike any other in Chico, and the fourth-floor rooms in particular will draw overnight visitors who want a unique experience. I'll go there often, because I've seen the love that went into it. I'm sure I won't be alone.
I hope so. Cook deserves it.
David Little is editor of the Enterprise-Record. His column appears each Sunday. He can be reached at dlittle@chicoer.com or 896-7793.
Lodging -
Best rests
Visitors may have found a dream come true as they enjoy Chico, adventure in Upper Park and stroll downtown. But come nightfall their feet are sore and they need a rest. Fortunately, the accommodations are benefitting the image of Chico. There are affordable motels, chains and quaint bed-and-breakfast inns tucked away in old houses. The hospitality is a bonus.Most of the motels are located close to Highway 99, while some B&Bs are tucked away a bit. There are even a few new additions. The Residence Inn By Marriott is already up-and-running and Courtyard By Marriott should be open in May. The posh Hotel Diamond, located smack dab in the middle of Downtown Chico is also set for a May opening.. If you plan on staying a while and have a particular place in mind, reservations are suggested, especially during the busiest weekends, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, Halloween and other notoriously “Chico holidays.” Graduation weekend is legendary here, and if you don’t book early, you’ll find yourself crashing on your kid’s couch or in a town half an hour away or more.
Old is new again in heart of Chico
When you take a look at old-time pictures of almost any city, you're struck by the character of the buildings. Most of them seemed to have some sort of ornament or architectural feature that made them stand out from the others. It was as though the building owners were in competition with each other to be noticed.
Certainly, some of the features were superficial or even unsound, constructed for appearances without thought of the future. In Chico, for example, one "landmark" that came down a few years ago was found to be nothing more than a frame of chicken wire coated with plaster.
However, downtown Chico also bears examples of the other path most communities have followed. There are sound buildings which had character until they were "modernized" in the era when clean lines were all the rage. There are newer structures that are utilitarian to a fault. Others designed to look "modern" in the '50s and '60s now look dated and boring. However, there is another trend in Chico of which there was a very conspicuous example Sunday when the Senator Theatre's tower went back up. We are getting new buildings with character, and making the effort to save the old.
It's encouraging. Many believed that when the Senator tower went down, it would never be replaced. When experts got a look at the tower at the structure's flaws and weaknesses pessimism grew.
And as the town has grown and classes of college students have churned through, there are more and more people in town who never saw the tower in place. They didn't think the corner of Fifth and Main streets looked weird without the tower. They didn't realize anything was missing.
It would have been much easier, and much cheaper, to just forget about the tower, to write it off as a relic of the past. Over time, even old-timers would have become accustomed to what wasn't there.
It didn't happen, and the tower has come home. Actually, it's a new and improved tower, with a metal framework replacing the wood, and a more durable shell made from castings of the original.
Coming so soon after the reopening of the Hotel Diamond another structure it would have been easy to write off we are seeing a new energy downtown that takes its source from the city's past.
The next step is the rebirth of City Plaza, there between the Senator's tower and the Diamond's cupola. And with work on the park expected to begin this summer, it shouldn't be long before the city's core is restored, better than ever.
Hotel
Diamond, out of the rough, shines again downtown
History will be made on Fourth Street Monday.
The Hotel Diamond returns to life, just over 100 years after its original opening.
Closed by a fire in 1916, the hotel has been restored as a luxurious inn.
From 1904 to 1916, the Diamond was a classy establishment, described as "richly fashioned with crystal chandeliers" and "velvet carpet of high grade."
After that elegant era ended, the building became a more modest hotel, then served as housing for college students. More recently it stood vacant, sustaining damage from the rain and resident pigeons.
The old place on Fourth, half a block west of Broadway, might have been demolished had it not been for Wayne Cook, a Chico entrepreneur with a passion for historic buildings.
Cook would eye the old hotel, with its crumbling bay windows, as he'd walk to and from his downtown office.
About five years ago, he got the idea of buying and restoring the Hotel Diamond.
It seemed a good plan. He'd made money investing in property in Chico and Savannah, Ga. He'd already done one successful restoration project resurrecting the Third Street "language houses." These large old homes, which once housed college foreign-language students, had long been vacant and were threatened with razing.
So, Cook moved forward.
Early in 2001, even after it had a major cleanup, the old hotel was still encrusted with dust and pigeon droppings and littered with broken boards and old plumbing fixtures.
At that point, Cook was excited to start working.
"It will be fun for us. We'll just love it," he told a reporter.
More than four years and $8 million later, his tone has changed.
The job, which he called "the project of my lifetime," was "way over my head," he said last week. "I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't have the experience."
It was far more difficult, complex and expensive than he expected, he said.
For one thing, he wanted to save as much of the original structure as possible. A noble goal, but one that added difficulty and cost. Tearing down what was left of the hotel and starting over would have been much simpler and cheaper, he said.
Ultimately, he had to remove much more of the old structure than he wanted. "There's very little of the original building left," he said.
Last week, Cook reiterated what he's said all along that the venture was a risk, with questions abounding about whether the hotel would make money or even pay for itself.
He must have asked himself many times whether he was chasing a fantasy, trying to bring a luxury hotel from the early 20th century into the Chico of the early 21st.
Besides that worry, there were lots of stops and starts and changes of plans during the project. The frustrations and stress took a huge toll on him, he said.
And, he added, "I don't like a bit what it cost when it was through."
Still, he's pleased with the finished product and satisfied at achieving his goal.
quot;I sure hope the public likes it," he said.
Last Monday, the Diamond's restaurant and bar danced with activity. Workers hurried in all directions, putting glasses and plates away, unloading frying pans and other cooking gear, and finishing the final bits of carpentry.
Cook held a party Friday night for special guests. The hotel is to open to the public Monday. And Thursday evening, a grand opening is planned with a swing band on the sidewalk.
What a transformation at 220 W. Fourth St.
In the Diamond today, you see expansive wood paneling, rich, colorful carpets, beautiful wooden pillars, exposed red brick, ornate glass work and luxurious furniture.
As you enter from Fourth Street, Johnnie's Restaurant and Lounge is on the left, the hotel lobby on the right. There's also a side entrance to the restaurant.
Cook said the restaurant is named after his associate, Johnnie Luallen, chief builder for the project.
"Johnnie's a hillbilly boy who finds a way to get it done," Cook said. Without him, there would be no restored Hotel Diamond.
In the kitchen last Monday, executive chef Joseph Symmes and assistant chef, Mario Collaso, were helping put away the tools of their craft.
Symmes said the restaurant will offer "basically comfort food."
Fried chicken and mashed potatoes will be on the menu, along with meatloaf and homemade malts, he said.
Actually, the menu listed on the hotel's Web site (www.hoteldiamondchico.com) indicates Johnnie's is more than a meat-and-potatoes sort of place.
Among the many dishes are Asian Grilled Chicken Salad ($10), Smoked Chicken Fettuccine ($14), Four-cheese Ravioli ($11), Johnnie's Fried Chicken ($16), Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna ($11), and Charbroiled Ahi Pesto ($22).
The hotel itself has 43 rooms on its second, third and fourth floors. The original hotel had three floors. Besides the fourth floor, Cook has added a small fifth floor with an apartment, which he and his wife, Carol, will use as a second Chico home. There's definitely an old-fashioned feel to the new Hotel Diamond from the Wurlitzer jukebox in the bar, to the elevator and the rich, colorful, ornately patterned carpets in the corridors. Several rooms billed as "period" feature antique furniture and in some cases wood flooring from the original Hotel Diamond.
Cook said he made two trips to China in the last six months to arrange for the hotel's furniture to be custom made. "I got the kind of furniture I wanted at a price that was acceptable," he said.
The four categories of rooms and their basic nightly rates are standard ($139), premium ($149), junior suites ($229) and executive suites ($319).
The most luxurious accommodations are the four executive suites on the corners of the fourth floor.
Each consists of three rooms a living room, bedroom and bathroom. The living rooms have sofas, gas fireplaces, plasma TV, wet bars, granite countertops, large bathtubs, and railed balconies with patio sets.
The view from these patios is impressive, especially from the rooms facing the mountains to the east.
The best view, of course, is from the cupola on top of the fifth floor. This is reached by climbing metal stairs that serpentine up like stairs in a lighthouse. The cupola is only open to the Cooks and their personal guests.
The original hotel had no cupola. However, the Morehead building next door did have one right above the corner of West Fourth Street and Broadway.
Cook said he had no plans to add a cupola to the hotel. But on a visit to Coronado Island, he noted the architecture of the Hotel del Coronado, with its spires and cupolas.
"Why don't people build these anymore?" he wondered. Then he realized he was someone building a hotel and should really put the question to himself. Thus, a copper-domed cupola was placed atop the Hotel Diamond.
Cook said people have told him he ought to come up with a ghost story about his hotel, to add to its allure.
So far as he knows, though, no ghosts have been reported in the place nor any other great mysteries.
But the original Hotel Diamond had a colorful history during its 16 years of operation. The hotel was said to be the center of Chico's social life and the venue for many lively celebrations.
Reportedly, during one of the fanciest parties one year, a prankster rode into the dining room mounted on the Nichols Hardware delivery horse.
There was also a feud in 1911 between the hotel manager and a minister whose church and residence were next door. The pastor, who apparently was kept awake at night by activity at the hotel, complained that "it was being conducted as a noisy place and was an immoral house," according to newspaper accounts from the time. The allegations, which the manager denied, led to a grand jury investigation.
Where the church once stood, there is now a city parking structure.
That's been crucial for Cook's restoration project. The city agreed to assign 40 spaces in the structure for use by hotel guests.
The city also loaned Cook $2 million to help him pay for restoring the hotel.
City Manager Tom Lando said it was a good investment for the city, which at one point even considered buying the hotel itself. The hotel will be a downtown attraction and its guests will add substantially to revenue from the city's hotel and motel tax.
On its Web page, the Hotel Diamond is referred to as "the jewel of Chico."
That's how Cook sees it a classy piece of history that will help keep pumping social and economic life into Chico's downtown. The new Hotel Diamond has created about 60 jobs for local residents.
Lando is enthusiastic, also. "It really adds character rooms to our community," he said. "I think I can speak for the City Council in saying we're all extremely pleased with the project."
Cook just hopes his venture can sustain itself. "Is there a market for this?" he asks.
Despite that note of uncertainty, he voices confidence in Chico's downtown, which has improved tremendously since the 1970s, when much of it was run down, and some buildings stood empty.
"Downtown Chico's best days are ahead," he said. "Chico, I think, has tremendous potential for more upscale development."
Cook said he's tossed a few ideas around in his mind, but he's definitely not taking on any new projects right now. "I've got to get through this one and lick my wounds for a while," he said.
Staff writer Larry Mitchell can be reached at 896-7759 or lmitchell@chicoer.com.
Hotel Chico charms even in winter
Driving into downtown Chico after passing an endless stretch of almond orchards, I noticed fraternity houses standing next to simple homes, large academic buildings and plastic cups (presumably from post-exam keggers) littering a couple of yards. Yep, it's definitely a college town.
But during a recent visit when most of the population - Chico State University students - was elsewhere for winter vacation, I found there is more to the town than the "party school" it's known for, including a hometown charm, a rich California pioneer history and, surprisingly, one of the largest city parks in the nation.
Backstory: Chico was founded by Gen. John Bidwell, one of the first emigrants on the California Trail who struck it rich mining for gold. He bought 28,000 acres of land in the Sacramento Valley and, with his wife, built a nice big mansion, planted crops and lined the streets with trees to provide shade for the scorching summers (something that Chico residents are undoubtedly grateful for). The Bidwells agreed to donate land to any institution that would build there, including the Chico Normal School, a teacher-training college that eventually turned into Chico State.
Chico reached national fame (much to residents' dismay) when the college was named "No. 1 party school" in 1987 by Playboy - an honor that led to an enduring reputation. The school made the list again in 2002 when it took second place. Last year, however, Chico State earned a spot on a list that doesn't factor in the number of Jell-O shots consumed per semester - Forbes' 100 Best Public Colleges.
Another contribution from the Bidwells was 2,200 acres of their estate for a park. With more land added over the years, Bidwell Park is now 3,670 acres and the third largest municipal park in the country.
Why now: Go before the hotter-than-hot summer. In the spring months, Bidwell Park will have fields of wildflowers, and the town's almond orchards will start blooming in late February.
Checking in: There are a couple of chain hotels and motels outside of downtown. For a more upscale option that is closer to the action, Hotel Diamond, located in the middle of downtown, is an elegant (but not stuffy) historic hotel that recently had a multimillion-dollar restoration.
Spend your day: Start off at the Chico Creek Nature Center to get your bearings before exploring the sprawling Bidwell Park. The Nature Center has maps and the employees can answer any questions you have.
Lower Bidwell Park is flat and shady with swimming holes, cedar groves, paved trails, playgrounds and picnic areas. Upper Bidwell Park is an undeveloped area in the Sierra Nevada foothills with 70 miles of trails. The park is so picturesque that it has provided scenery for "Gone With the Wind" and the 1938 Errol Flynn version of "Robin Hood."
In the afternoon, explore the downtown area, walkable and easy to get around. You'll find boutiques, bike stores, several places selling hand-blown glass art, candy and gift shops, bakeries, cafes, bars and restaurants. Stop by Bird in Hand, a toy store that houses the National Yo-Yo Museum, showcasing vintage yo-yos and the world's largest wooden yo-yo, weighing 256 pounds.
A quick drive from downtown is the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., the second-largest craft brewer in the United States. Sample some of their beers in the taproom, or stay for lunch and let a waiter pair your meal with a beer. Take a tour for a bird's-eye view of the tanks and brewing process.
Eats: For a hearty breakfast, try Cafe Coda. The small, cozy cafe serves standard breakfast items, but also offers classics with a twist (like banana Nutella French toast).
For lunch, get the full Chico experience at Madison Bear Garden, the unofficial hangout for Chico State students. Fun and kitschy, the restaurant has a porch and a dance floor upstairs. I stuck with the Bear Burger, topped with the signature Bear-B-Que sauce, which required more than a few napkins. I paired it with a Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat beer from the selection of microbrews.
The 5th Street Steakhouse is one of the nicer (and more popular) restaurants in Chico and just a short walk from the Hotel Diamond. The restaurant has a modern feel with high ceilings and brick walls and offers standard steakhouse fare.
Don't miss: Stop by the Bidwell Mansion for a tour of the 26-room pink Italianate mansion, completed in 1868, to learn about Chico's founders. The Bidwells were the social elite in Chico and frequently hosted important guests like President Hayes, John Muir, Susan B. Anthony and Gen. Sherman.
Don't bother: Bringing anything too dressy or fancy. Chico is pretty casual.
Word to the wise: There's really not much to see on the drive to Chico. Pick up a couple of car games at Bird in Hand to make the drive back a little more interesting.
IF YOU GO
GETTING THERE
Chico is about a three-hour drive from San Francisco. Follow Interstate 5 north to Orland and then take Highway 32 east to Chico.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Diamond 220 W. Fourth St. (866) 993-3100, www.hotel diamondchico.com. The hotel is recently restored, with a convenient downtown location. Johnnie's Restaurant has lunch and dinner and a full bar. Weekend rates range from $135 to $389.
DINING
Madison Bear Garden 316 W. Second St. (530) 891-1639, www.madisonbeargarden.com. Open daily at 11 a.m. A burger and beer will run about $12.
Cafe Coda 265 Humboldt Ave. (530) 566-9476, www.cafecoda.com. Breakfast 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily; lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays. Large portions of breakfast and lunch items. About $14 per person.
5th Street Steakhouse 345 W. Fifth St. (530) 891-6328, www.5thstreetsteakhouse.com. Open for dinner daily. Modern atmosphere with classic steakhouse menu. Dinner for two, with drinks, tax and tip, is about $90.
WHAT TO DO
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. 1075 E. 20th St. (530) 345-2739; www.sierranevada.com; free tours 2:30 p.m. Sunday-Friday and 12 p.m.-3 p.m. (on the half-hour) Saturday; restaurant and taproom open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Satava Art Glass Studio. 819 Wall St. (530) 345-9014, www.satava.com. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Sells hand-blown glass vases, paperweights and jellyfish.
Bird in Hand 320 Broadway (530) 893-0545, www.birdinhand.com. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Free. Houses the National Yo-Yo Museum and a vintage toy collection. Also sells gifts, books and games.
Bidwell Mansion 525 Esplanade. (530) 895-6144. Tours on the hour noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends. $6.
Chico Creek Nature Center 1968 E. Eighth St. (530) 896-7800, www.bidwellpark.org. Go here to get maps and information on Bidwell Park.
MORE INFO Chico Chamber of Commerce (530) 891-5556, www.chicochamber.com.
Eliza Hussman, Chronicle Staff Writer |
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