Sheraton Galleria is the original name of today’s Radisson Hotel located on Broadway Avenue between 6th and 7th Streets in downtown Bismarck.
The hotel opened in 1983, became the Holiday Inn in 1993, and Radisson Hotel in 2002. It stands 10 stories, nine of which for the hotel facility itself plus an access floor, making it Bismarck’s third tallest building behind the Capitol and only slightly behind the historic Patterson Hotel. It is a full service hotel and conference facility. The first and second levels mostly contain common areas such as the hotel lobby, restaurant, various meeting and banquet rooms, fitness center, and swimming pool.
The Galleria continues to be the name of the attached parking ramp, owned by the city and jointly operated with the hotel.
History
Before the Sheraton Galleria, the site previously contained a block of historic buildings, most notably the original home of Saint Alexius (Lamborn Hotel) and the original location of what became Dan’s Supermarket. The buildings were demolished between 1973-1974 as part of Bismarck’s first urban renewal project. A 19-story mixed-use hotel complex called Motor Capital Inn that would stand 100 feet lower than the Capitol was planned for the site. It was to also include a bank, retail, and office space with the top 14 floors of a central tower dedicated to the hotel and swimming pool on the third floor. Those plans never came to fruition. Instead, the cleared land sat vacant through the decade. Bismarck residents bemusedly started referring to the block as “the hole.”
Following the failed Motor Capital Inn complex, the Tjaden Corporation – who owned and operate Bismarck’s iconic Holiday Inn on Memorial Highway – proposed in 1978 opening a Holiday Inn on the site. The plan called for a $6.5 million hotel complete with parking ramp, very similar to what eventually would be developed there. It was one of three proposals submitted that year for the site. Those plans ultimately fell through.
Galleria Associates first proposed a multi-phase development project at the long-vacant Sixth Street Urban Renewal site in 1982. Charles Whittey was a principal in Galleria Associates. Whittey was also involved with Tjaden Corporation’s failed attempts. The $30.8 million plan called for a 10-story hotel on the northwest corner, a 13-story office and condominium tower on the southeast corner, a 233-vehicle parking ramp on the northeast corner, and a two-story mixed-use building at the center. The cost estimate soon grew to $32 million. The completed complex, described as a “super block,” would have occupied the entire city block.
Sheraton Galleria “Super Block” concept sketch. Courtesy KFYR-TV.
The Sheraton Galleria (today’s Radisson Hotel) began construction toward the end that year with the bulk of construction taking place in 1983 and carrying into 1984. The hotel itself cost $9.4 million to construct, $8.3 million of which financed by MIDA bonds. Concurrently, the City Commission approved construction of the adjoining Galleria parking ramp for $3 million and a skyway linking the hotel to the Parkade, which itself was undergoing expansion. There were also plans to connect the complex by skyway with the joint Q&R Clinic/Bismarck Hospital complex being constructed directly across but that never came to fruition.
Sheraton Galleria sign, 1983. Courtesy KFYR-TV.
After some setbacks, chiefly financial concerns, the Sheraton Galleria opened in December 1983 although some of the finishing touches on the hotel weren’t completed until 1984. Only the first four floors were finished at this time. A news article of its opening mentioned issues with guest room keys and missing light bulbs, among other unfinished aspects. Upon opening, the hotel included two restaurants (one of which called Terrace), two lounges, gift shop operated by Arc (called Lobby Stop II), leasable spaces for additional tenants, a 400-person capacity ballroom, and 17 total meeting rooms of varying sizes, in addition to the atrium pool area and 223 guest rooms. Roger Kohler, proprietor of the Paper Dollar Bar, petitioned to become the first official guest.
The Galleria parking ramp originally featured a public park, which received some debate over financing and ownership. It was ultimately settled that the city would finance upkeep of the park with the hotel agreeing to maintain it on a daily basis.
Radisson Hotel
Financial difficulties were an ongoing concern, which prevented further development of the project. Ultimately, only the hotel and parking ramp were completed. It wouldn’t be until 2023 that the southern section along Main Avenue would be developed, opening as Trestle – a mixed-use project. The hotel was on the brink of bankruptcy for years until selling to Kelly Inn Limited of Sioux Falls in 1987.
Previously, a 7-story Sheraton was originally planned as part of Kirkwood Plaza’s development, but never unfolded.
Not to be confused with the Sheridan House.
