Tom Lee

The Colonial Williamsburg Motor Lodge, sometimes referred to as the Motor House, was among the nation’s first hotels designed expressly to cater to the needs of motorists. The project launched Lee’s work in the field of hospitality.

The Coconut Grove nightclub opened at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles in 1921 and from the beginning presented many of the country’s top entertainers to appreciative audiences. The 1,000-seat capacity venue originally contained papier-mâche palm trees taken from the set of the movie The Sheik, starring Rudolph Valentino. The club was remodeled in 1934. In 1957 Tom once again redesigned the interior, updating its eclectic and exotic style.

Bar of Savoy Hilton Hotel, New York City

Lobby and restaurant of Airport Hotel, Los Angeles

Tom and Sarah were Greenwich, Connecticut, neighbors of Alfred and Dorothy Kaskel, entrepreneurs who in the 1960s embarked on a new hotel chain, having already established themselves as successful developers of residential real estate in New York City. Tom and Sarah invented the chain’s name, “Doral,” by synthesizing the Kaskels’ first names. The Doral Hotel, located at 70 Park Avenue, was a sterling example of Tom’s mix of design vocabularies. Guest rooms fused period reproduction furniture and modern conveniences such as television and air-conditioning.

Drawing and photograph of “Inner Man” grill at Doral Park Avenue Hotel, New York City

Sample of wallpaper selected by Lee for the Doral Park Avenue Hotel, New York City

Tom Lee at the Doral Park Avenue, New York City

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This resort, designed by Mel Grossman, consisted of a hotel, located directly on Miami Beach, and a nearby country club featuring a golf course frequented by golf champions and celebrities. The club ultimately served as the nucleus of the city of Doral, located in Miami-Dade County.

Photographer: Bill Maris/ESTO

Rooftop restaurant of Doral Beach Hotel and Country Club, Miami Beach

Photographer: Bill Maris/ESTO

Doral Beach Hotel and Country Club, Miami Beach

Photographer: Bill Maris/ESTO

Ladies’ powder room at the Doral Beach Hotel and Country Club, Miami Beach

Photographer: Bill Maris/ESTO

Lobby of Doral Beach Hotel and Country Club, Miami Beach

Photostat of restaurant of Hotel America, New Orleans

Drawing and photostat of Oyster Bar at Hotel America, New Orleans

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Inn on the Park, London UK, was the first new hotel built in the city since the end of World War II in 1945.

Drawing of lobby of Inn on the Park, London

Drawing of bistro at Inn on the Park, London

Drawing of florist shop at Inn on the Park, London

Drawing of guest room of Inn on the Park, London

Rendering and drawing of lobby of Four Seasons-Sheraton Hotel, Toronto

Drawing of guest room of Four Seasons-Sheraton Hotel, Toronto

Advertisement for “Room of Tomorrow,” National Hotel Exposition, New York City, November 1959

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Article about Tom Lee, reprinted from Interior Design, February 1969