The Hotel Manhattan, a 14-story building clad in Indiana limestone, opened on October 14, 1896. Designed by Henry J. Hardenbergh, it featured opulent French and Italian Renaissance styles and Tiffany-decorated interiors. Key attractions included a rotunda with Tiffany mosaics, murals by C.Y. Turner, and luxurious dining rooms. It offered advanced amenities like electric elevators and telephone services. The hotel hosted notable events and guests. Renowned for its light and air, it also housed the influential Transportation Club.