Erin Droste

A couple walks past the Eldridge Hotel, 701 Massachusetts St., yesterday evening. Renovation of the hotel, which is under new ownership, began in mid-December. Bobby Douglass, co-owner of the hotel, said he was expecting to be finished in May 2005. (Left) Bobby Douglass was a quarterback for Kansas from 1966 to 1968. He is one the Eldridge’s co-owners.

Carpeting that once covered the floor of the Eldridge Hotel is now gone. The checkered marble floor that gleamed decades ago is now covered in dust from construction. The hotel that stands at seventh and Massachusetts streets is a Lawrence landmark and was recently acquired by University of Kansas alumni.

Bobby Douglass, former KU quarterback who played most of his career with the Chicago Bears, and KU Alumni Mitch and Susan Chaney of Texas, along with local investors, paid $2.92 million at bankruptcy auction for the historic hotel. The Douglass-Chaney group plans on dropping $1.5 million in renovations.

Douglass attended the University from 1966 to 1968. He played quarterback and led the Jayhawks to the Orange Bowl in 1968. His name is featured on the north side of Memorial Stadium, which he said was a great honor.

Even though he lives in Chicago, Douglass said he kept coming back to Lawrence.

During one trip back to Lawrence, Douglass stayed at the Eldridge Hotel while visiting his daughter who attends the University. The hotel was a little run-down, but Douglass thought it had promise.

He made a few phone calls inquiring about the ownership and three months later was at the auction for the hotel with other investors he met. Douglass and the other investors with him eventually outbid a trio of local investors.

“I’ve come back four to five times a year,” said Douglass. “I really love the University and the town. Lawrence was great to me when I was here.”

David Longhurst, hotel interim manager, said the hotel, restaurant and bar would all be renovated. The renovations will not destroy the building’s historic look, he said. Douglass said he enjoyed the history of the hotel and hoped to attract more customers.

The Eldridge tentatively plans to reopen in May 2005, Longhurst said, with the bar and restaurant opening at the same time.

The hotel’s 48 suites will have new carpeting, beds and fully refurbished bathrooms, Longhurst said. The rates for the old rooms were $99 to $139. Douglass said although the new rates were not set, the rates would be comparable.

The hotel will renovate the Jayhawker bar into a bar and grille, expanding the seating from around 50 to 80.

The restaurant will not have more seating but the management will renovate the floor and furnishings while retaining the historic look of the establishment, Douglass said.

The menu also is not set, but Douglass and Longhurst said the items would accommodate a variety of tastes. The management plans for the new renovations and menu to bring in a diverse clientele.

“If someone wants a $25 steak they can get it,” Douglass said. “If you want a hamburger, you can get it.”

The restaurant plans to also host and offer a wide range of events, he said. The management wants to host KU athletics department fundraisers, charity events and other events needing a ballroom-type setting.