J and E Building/ New Cain Hotel (Gastineau Hotel)

Additional Information

This v-shaped, four-story structure measures 58' x 65'. Originally a three-story building, the fourth floor was added in 1915. The building is reinforced concrete. The roof is flat. It has storefront windows on the first floor and double hung multi-pane windows on the upper floors. The original transoms located above the sidewalk canopy have been replaced with solid panels, which maintain the original recess. Decorative concrete castings are between the windows on the fourth floor. There is a central recessed entryway and a central low-rising front parapet. A decorative motif cast in concrete is located at the top of the front facade.

Constructed by E.R. Jaeger, owner of the Alaska Steam Laundry and Claude Erickson for Harry Cain. It was the first concrete hotel in Juneau and opened on Alaska Day, only a month after the opening of the Alaskan Hotel. Originally with three floors, a fourth floor was added in 1915 when it became the Gastineau Hotel. In 1916 the Gastineau Cafe opened in the hotel. It was expanded again In 1938 when 30 rooms were added. For many years the Gastineau was Juneau's leading hotel.

commercial

Inventory of Historic Sites and Structures, City and Borough of Juneau Alaska, March, 1986; CBJ Community Development files; National Register Nomination, June 17, 1994