Capital Hilton
| Company type | Hotel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Predecessor | Hotel Statler |
| Founded | January 18, 1943 in Washington, D.C., United States |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
| Products | Hotel services |
| Parent | Braemar Hotels & Resorts |
| Website | www |
The Capital Hilton, initially known as the Hotel Statler, is a landmark hotel situated just north of the White House along 16th Street in Washington, D.C..
History
Erected by Statler Hotels beginning in 1940, this 13-story structure opened its doors on January 18, 1943, amidst the backdrop of World War II. The building, standing tall at , was crafted in an early modern architectural style by the firms Holabird & Root LLC and A.R. Clas Associates.
In 1947, Larry Doby—recognized as the first African American player in the American League—became the hotel's inaugural black guest while attending a Cleveland Indians versus Washington Senators baseball game.
The hotel gained cinematic prominence through its significant role in the 1950 movie Born Yesterday, featuring scenes filmed on-site as well as a suite replicated on a studio soundstage.
Ownership transitioned when Statler Hotels sold the property to Hilton Hotels in 1954, which led to its renaming as The Statler Hilton in 1958. Later, on January 15, 1977, it adopted the name The Capital Hilton. The property's proprietorship shifted over time: starting in 2003, CNL Financial Group entered into co-ownership with Hilton; then CNL divested its stake to Ashford Hospitality Trust in 2007; Ashford subsequently spun off the hotel into Ashford Hospitality Prime in 2013; and finally, in 2018, the parent entity rebranded itself as Braemar Hotels & Resorts.
In 2014, the Capital Hilton earned distinction from the National Trust for Historic Preservation by being inducted into the Historic Hotels of America program.