St Pete Don Cesar Hotel History

The Don Ceasar was originally owned by Thomas Rowe and opened in 1928, and was immediately dubbed the “Pink Palace” for its unique aesthetic. The 10-story hotel sits along the white sand beach in St. Petersburg in the Gulf of Mexico, and was a playground for high society even in its early days. The elegance and class of the Don has exuded the space from the Gatsby era, and in its early days was one of the most luxurious hotels in Florida.

After Rowe’s death in 1940, the hotel is inherited by his estranged wife. Then in 1942, the Don Ceasar was purchased by the United States Army to serve as a hospital and convalescent center for airmen returning from World War II. At the end of the war, the hotel was converted to the Veterans Affairs Regional Office and recreational center.

The Don Ceasar belonged to the U.S. Army for nearly 30 years serving veterans until it was eventually declared obsolete and was left essentially gutted. It was destined for destruction until it was saved by a “Save the Don” group and was purchased in 1972 by William Bowman for $460,000. He began restoring the Don Cesar with a $3.5 million restoration plan, and re-opened the 277-room hotel as a resort a year later.

Since then, it has hosted celebrities and presidents and remains a landmark in St. Petersburg as one of the most elegant hotels.

Fun Facts About The Don Cesar:

1. Baseball legend Joe DiMaggio loved the Don so much that he brought his bride Marilyn Monroe back for their honeymoon
2. The Don has been rumored to be haunted by the ghost of its original owner, Thomas Rowe. You can take a ghost tour of the property with a local sightseeing company.
3. The Don Cesar is known for catering to celebrities and politicians and has hosted every president since Gerald Ford, except for Ronald Regan.
4. The Don Cesar became an official historic landmark in 1975 after being renovated, and the pink color of the exterior is protected by law as it is a mariner’s guiding point.
5. The Don gained much or its pop culture notice in the 1980’s when it appeared in scenes of Once Upon a Time in America and was the backdrop for filming a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers music video.