By the second decade of the 20th century, St Louis' highly diversified economic base and regional importance as a trading center led boosters to advertise the city as the "49th State."

Excellent rail and water transportation had encouraged extensive distribution and wholesale markets; aggressive retailing had produced large department stores and quality specialty shops.

Several new middle-line hotels (including the Majestic, the Marquette and the Maryland) had been built specifically to attract the many buyers who frequented the wholesale district centered on Washington Avenue.

The Statler, however, did not cater to the typical out-of-town buyer. Designed by George W. Post & Sons of New York with Mauran, Russell & Crowell of St Louis, the 650-room, twenty-story Statler featured lavish public rooms and an arcaded lobby on the first floor with a stunning, two-story ballroom at the top.

In spite of many years as the slightly shabby Gateway and a fire of suspicious origin, the once-proud Statler is the obvious choice for a convention hotel of note - especially in conjunction with the Mayfair, the Lennox, and a new tower west of the Statler.