The Dunhill Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina

November 21, 2023 Valerie Archual Comments 0 Comment

Located in Uptown Charlotte, amid all the fine dining, shopping, museums, and art galleries, is a most prestigious historical landmark.

A work of art in its own right, The Dunhill Hotel stands proudly among the Charlotte skyline and is a respected elder to its neighboring structures.

My husband and I recently traveled through Charlotte and crossed paths with The Dunhill Hotel. Known for almost a century as “Charlotte’s Hotel,” I knew right away The Dunhill would be our choice for an overnight stay.

We arrived after sunset on a pleasantly warm November evening. The sidewalks were jovially filled with people enjoying the warm autumn breeze and Charlotte’s popular nightlife. As we rounded the corner, the lighted marquee instantly gleamed through the fall night, receiving us as its honored guests in the most lavish of style.

As my husband and I escaped the outside crowd and stepped inside the lobby, my decision to stay at The Dunhill was, all at once, merited. A soft jazz melody drifted through the air, accompanying an atmosphere of days gone by, carrying me with it as if I had just stepped back in time.

My husband, ahead of me, made his way up to the front desk while I sauntered, marveling at the lobby’s front gathering room, its elegant yet cozy sitting areas accented with harvest pumpkins, and a beautiful fall arrangement of fresh flowers. The gorgeous adjoining bar’s rich and ornately carved wood caught my eye, and I couldn’t help but wonder how many “Old Fashioneds” had been served in this establishment throughout The Dunhill’s existence.

My husband gives me a look, and I quickly approach the front desk to join him. He knows exactly what I’m thinking. He knows how the evening will be spent, and, being a true sport of it all, he knows he will experience it right alongside me.

Our Executive King room was on the tenth floor. Upon entering room 1003, we were welcomed by opened draperies that gave way to the glittering lights and picturesque views of Uptown Charlotte, something that immediately took this country girl’s breath away.

The spacious room included a comfortable and stylish oversized lounge chair and ottoman. The décor was warm and welcoming, with hues of creams and grays combined with subtle burgundy tones that coordinated perfectly with The Dunhill’s signature logo. The plush king-sized bed rested against a peacock-blue accent wall, giving the room a contemporary and classic feel.

The bath features included opulent marble tile and a unique and spirited herringbone wallpaper, which is said to pay homage to the building’s original architect, Louis Asbury Sr., and his eye for sophisticated fashion.

Before exploring The Dunhill, I made a pact with my husband: we would eat first.

We made our way back down to the main lobby, hoping to grab a table at the hotel’s dining room, The Asbury, yet another tribute to its architect.

The restaurant was packed, but we were in luck! Just as we approached the maître d’s podium, a table opened up. Our luck didn’t stop there! The Asbury offers weekly specials, and, being the burger connoisseurs that we are, our stay happened to fall on a Thursday, which just so happens to be Burger & Beer Night, offering the famed, mouth-watering, house-ground Asbury Burger for a mere $8!

Along with The Dunhill Hotel, The Asbury takes pride in North Carolina, its heritage, and its people. The dining room is adorned with local art, and the Southern menu features fresh, farm-to-table ingredients from local farmers throughout the region, providing the best in modern Southern dining.

After a delicious meal at The Asbury, we were given a tour and free rein to explore this fabulous piece of history. Our Dunhill guide led us up to the gathering halls, which included The Churchill Room, The Mayfair Room, The Parlor, and the Wine Room.

Photo courtesy of The Dunhill Hotel

The Dunhill offers more than 2,500 square feet of meeting and reception areas. Combined with the delicacies of the award-winning Asbury restaurant, The Dunhill Hotel is ready to host your special occasion, from corporate events to weddings and receptions.

With its rich, long-standing history and Old World style and elegance, The Dunhill Hotel prides itself on preserving the same sophisticated distinction and welcoming hospitality that was first introduced on that mid-November day back in 1929.

The History

Photograph courtesy of UNC Charlotte Atkins Library

Before The Dunhill, it began as Mayfair Manor, the brainchild of doctors J.P. Matheson and C.N. Peeler. The doctors’ idea was to create a hotel that would serve as both a place for traveling guests but also as a permanent residence quarters.

Located just blocks away from Charlotte’s city square and the business district, the sought-after site was one to be envied. Department stores such as Belk’s and Ivey’s neighbored nearby, following along the sidewalks with cafés, bakeries, specialty stores, and several churches. The decision was made, and the land was purchased for $250,000 in 1926. Two years later, the doctors hired architect extraordinaire Louis Asbury Sr. to bring their vision to life.

Louis Asbury, Charlotte Observer Photograph / The Dunhill Hotel

Asbury was one of Charlotte’s first architects and the first North Carolina native to become a member of the American Institute of Architects, creating quite a legacy. Asbury developed a love for American, British, and Italian influences along with neoclassical detailing, which can all be recognized in his construction of the then Mayfair Manor( today’s Dunhill Hotel).

Despite being on the brink of the Great Depression and just weeks after the Wall Street stock market crash, the Mayfair Manor was unveiled to the public, hosting its grand opening on November 15, 1929. As planned, the ten-story, one-hundred-room hotel offered up fifty rooms to host traveling guests while the other fifty suites were home to permanent residents.

After Dr. Matheson, Mayfair’s original owner passed away in 1937, the property changed hands and was under the ownership of the Mayfair Realty Corporation until 1959. The property was next sold to Dwight L. Phillips, who had a renovation plan totaling $225,000, but the property was quickly sold, yet again, in December of 1960, when it became known as the James Lee Motor Inn. In December of 1980, a new buyer came along. The partnership of A.B. Wilkins and Charles Kinnard announced their intent to convert the building into condominiums. By 1981, the partners could not reach a mutual agreement, and the property was placed back up for sale. The property, unfortunately, remained vacant for several years.

It was the summer of 1987 that brought about a positive change. The Dunhill Hotel Associates came to the rescue, purchasing the hotel and spending nearly six million dollars, giving it an extensive makeover renovation. The Dunhill Hotel opened in the fall of 1988. In 1991, The Dunhill Hotel Group began partnering with Summit Hospitality Group and still owns and manages it today.

A Mystery Finally Solved, After 35 Years

Crews working in the elevator shaft during the hotel’s 1988 renovation were alarmed to find what appeared to be human remains. Upon further investigation, a human skeleton was confirmed.

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department conducted numerous investigations but were unsuccessful in identifying the decedent, having limited resources to identify a human skeleton during that time. As a result, the case remained unsolved, and the human remains were placed in storage for over three decades.

It wasn’t until 2022 that the remains were examined by a forensic anthropologist who collected DNA from the bones, sending that information to a genealogist who used ancestry websites to construct a family tree.

The man was identified as Oliver “O. D.” Mundy, an honorable World War II Veteran who served in the army and fought in many crucial battles. His identity was traced back to his niece, who was notified earlier this year. She confirmed her uncle had gone missing back in the early 1980s, explaining he had a tough time in his later years and often slept in the streets. Rumor had it that the vacant hotel in the 1980s became a popular shelter for those experiencing homelessness.

Thanks to today’s new forensic technology, the hotel’s “John Doe” was identified, his family now has the answers they had so desperately searched for, and Oliver Mundy was finally laid to rest.

The Dunhill Hotel

From its premier opening during the Great Depression to its numerous owners and countless guests, The Dunhill Hotel has quite the story to tell! Celebrating its 94^th year, The Dunhill Hotel is a proud member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that recognizes the finest historic hotels across America.

The Dunhill Hotel continues to provide Uptown Charlotte with the best in luxury accommodations and North Carolina history, offering up that same elegance and hospitable Southern charm Louis Asbury intended all those years ago.

It’s almost midnight, and I open the heavy drapes before crawling into bed. The view from my fluffed pillow is spectacular: the twinkling city lights of Charlotte. This is the sight that will eventually lull me into a very comfortable and deep sleep.