Historic Holbrooke Hotel (CA) Closed Indefinitely for Renovations
According to the hotel website, the Historic Holbrooke Hotel, profiled on Dead Files season 6, episode 3 (2016), closed February 12, 2019 for renovations. This is an interesting development for a troubled property.
Dead Files filmed at the hotel in an episode that premiered on April 15, 2016. The hotel is located in Grass Valley, California. It has several claims to fame, with one being that it is attached to the longest continuously operated saloon/restaurant/hotel in California. The claim is dubious and hard to prove. The claim is a supposed brawl that broke out between exotic dancer Lola Montez and newspaper editor Henry Shipley. The episode attempts to link the assault (which did not occur) to the infamous Montez and Shipley’s suicide by strychnine in 1859.
During the broadcast, the hotel was owned by Ian Garfinkel, who purchased the hotel in 2011 when it was set for demolition. Amy experienced a lot during her walks. She said that it would take many years to cleanse the property. Spoiler: Amy flat-out told Ian and his current and former employees that she would leave. In fact—and this is important—she stated that it would take nothing short of demolishing the hotel to diminish the activity. Ian, adamant to remain, asked for other options. Amy provided black salt to be sprinkled creating a wall of purity. She also gave them black tourmaline, a grounding stone that purifies energy, and selenite, an energy cleanser. The show closed stating that Ian was using the stones and protecting the people from harm.
Slightly more than 2 years later, in August 2018, Ian sold the hotel to Eastern Real Estate with Acme Hospitality overseeing renovations. When news broke of the sale, both Ian and Eastern Real Estate stated that the Holbrooke would remain open at all times during the renovation. Seems this isn’t the case.
A spokesperson for the company stated that it would be financially smarter to close and complete everything and then reopen. She said the renovations would then only take a few months. Five months later and the hotel remains shuttered. Keep checking back for updates.
I wonder what kinds of problems are stalling the renovations. I feel bad for the owners.
The history of the hotel is interesting. The last major renovation was in 1982 when Arletta Douglas purchased and saved. Ever since then, no one has owned for more than 11 years. Makes one wonder!
I wonder how much has been stirred up with the renovations. I wonder if the previous owner disclosed the bad history/hauntings with the new owners. I wish the new owners luck and hope they are safe while doing renovations.
They probably didn’t. At least one owner was a group of investors from Utah. Doubt they knew anything. I hope the hotel re-opens with the historical decor in place.
Wow. This is crazy interesting. I was wondering if the renovations had stirred stuff up too like Debra noted. Will definitely keep a watch out for updates now. Great post!