Too bad that greedy city "leaders" allowed the President Hotel to be trashed AND long-time residents to be evicted and replaced by a luxury hotel just in time for the crash of business travel market.

So now we get to PAY to re-create affordable housing downtown after losing another Birge Clarke gem.

[Portion removed.]

The timeless Birge Clark architectural designs give Palo Alto both a nostalgic and classic appearance, with far more character than the modern day mixed-use commercial buildings and mundane Eichler residencies.

Great article, I wish we could get inside to see all of them close up.

So is the city still trying to sell the Birge Clarke Post Office on Hamilton?

How much of the Birge Clarke President Hotel was preserved when it was turned into the new luxury hotel?

Thank you for this wonderful article. I look forward to riding my bike by Mr. Clark’s buildings on my bike. If I could have any house I wanted, it would be Mr.Clark’s California Colonial style. How does one find out about the tours?

The return of the President Hotel, now named Graduate Palo Alto, is simply a return to its original use. The remodel has held true to the Birge Clark architecture. I'm sure that management would be happy to show one around, its worth a look.
In terms of "luxury," as to pricing it is surprisingly affordable.
Try a drink on the rooftop terrace!

Bo Crane, who wrote this story, leads history walks for Palo Alto Stanford Heritage. Birge Clark tours happened in May and June, but maybe the group has another tour planned. you can find more information here: Web Link

Birge Clark's signature was a vent-like arrangement of three roof tiles, one on top and two below, below the peak of a house's tile roof. If you see this arrangement on the front of a house the house is almost certainly one of his.

The house Birge Clark grew up in still stands on Hanover Street in College Terrace. Later in life he wrote a short essay describing the neighborhood of his childhood which is most interesting for anyone interested in local history.