History

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Discover Colony Hotel & Cabana Club, which represents the romantic Flagler era of Florida Mediterranean architecture.

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Colony Hotel & Cabana Club, a member of Historic Hotels of America since 1999, dates back to 1926.

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A member of Historic Hotels of America since 1999, The Colony Hotel & Cabana Club is among the most historic holiday destinations in all of Florida. Many have hailed this spectacular resort as a timeless masterpiece, often calling it “the best known landmark” in Delray Beach. The facility debuted as the “Alterep Hotel” in 1926, after a group of investors led by Albert T. Repp had spent some $350,000 to finance its construction. Repp and his colleagues had decided to build such a magnificent structure due to Delray Beach’s growth as a prestigious resort community during the Roaring Twenties. Florida itself was in the midst of a lively—yet short-lived—real estate boom, in which Americans from across the nation built countless residential and commercial structures as a means of escaping the harsh northern winters. Delray Beach was no different from any other coastal community in Florida at the time, as businesspeople like Repp developed its shoreline with new luxurious retreats. Designed by architect Martin Luther Hampton at the behest of Repp, The Alterep Hotel was perhaps the greatest structure built within the city in the 1920s. Standing three stories tall, its brilliant Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture brilliantly commemorated the state’s Hispanic heritage. The resort’s gorgeous stucco walls and iconic domed towers made it incredibly unique when compared to many of its fellow local destinations. Inside, a Spanish Galleon was carved into the lobby’s central mantle, highlighted in hues of gold and silver. Stunning terrazzo floor tiles proliferated throughout the space, as did wrought iron chandeliers and sumptuous antique floor lamps. An Otis & Company elevator ferried guests throughout the building to one of several dozen guestrooms located onsite. The contraption was absolutely beautiful, for it featured cut-glass panels, dark wood trim, and even a hand-closed metal gate. Fixx Reed wicker furniture filled every public space and guestroom, too, which Reep had acquired directly from the upscale John Wanamaker Store in Philadelphia.

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Despite its grand, luxurious character, the Alterep Hotel struggled immensely to generate business during the first few years of its existence. Right when it seemed that Repp and his associates were about to turn a corner financially, the Great Depression struck with merciless fury. Businesses and property values collapsed all over Florida, spelling doom for entrepreneurs like Albert T. Repp. With no way to save the enterprise, Repp subsequently foreclosed on the Alterep Hotel. Fortunately, salvation arrived in the form of George and Agnes Boughton. The two were newlyweds who had stumbled into Delray Beach almost by accident. They initially wanted to drive straight down to Key West, where they would take a cruise to Havana. But social unrest in the Cuban capital caused the two to unexpectedly cancel their trip. George then contacted his father, Charlie, for help, as the latter was a veteran hotelier up in New Jersey. Finding new accommodations in Atlantic City, the couple started the long drive back to the northeast. Yet, when the two briefly stopped in Delray Beach, they immediately fell in love with the abandoned Alterep Hotel. George and Agnes eventually spoke with Charlie about the prospect of acquiring the bankrupted business. After much discussion, the Boughtons paid some $50,000 to buy the ailing resort in 1935. Renaming it as “The Colony Hotel,” the family’s subsequent stewardship saw the resort emerge as the hottest attraction in Delray Beach. They invested thoroughly into its revitalization, installing a wealth of new amenities and facilities throughout the structure. George even developed the famous “Cabana Club” on a 250-foot strip of land along the Atlantic Ocean. This fabulous venue contained a heated saltwater pool, authentic tropical fauna, and complimentary cabanas. The Colony Hotel and Cabana Club has since remained in the Boughton family to this very day. Much of the original architecture and décor remains the same, too! The resort even has 50 pieces of the historic Fixx Reed furniture that first arrived over a century ago. The Colony Hotel and Cabana Club is thus one of Florida’s best historic destinations.