678 - Olive Ann Hotel
This photo shows the Olive Ann Hotel building in downtown Grand Forks, ND. The modern façade features large upper windows and a bold yellow sign displaying the hotel’s name and logo above the entrance, giving the historic structure a contemporary, upscale appearance.
"The Scandinavian-American Bank built this 5-story Classical-Revival style building in 1915 after a fire burned the Ingall’s Hotel the previous year. The 1916 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map shows the new bank building describing it as a steel-framed Wall and Pier fireproof construction. Other tenants in the building included a Millinery and Hair Dressing business, a confectionery store, jewelers, an optometrist and more. The original building featured a central staircase that was later replaced with Grand Forks’ first escalator.
It was constructed during the Second Dakota Boom - a period of prosperity for a City at the heart of the agricultural community and the economic hub for the region.
Three other buildings once occupied the site where the hotel rooms now sit on 4th Street. Early records show one was a steam laundry, and the second was occupied by the Home Tea Company store. The third was home to Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge designed by renowned local architect Joseph Bell DeRemer. The Lodge building was home to many businesses throughout its 87-year history including the beloved Golden Hour restaurant and the popular tavern, Bonzer’s on 4th. Sadly, the three building were destroyed by flood and fire in 1997.
In the years that followed, the site saw various renovations and the rise of new businesses. However, it wasn’t until a local business owner recognized the community's growing need for a boutique luxury destination that the transformation truly began. After extensive renovations and expansion, The Olive Ann Hotel opened in 2023 as a modern reflection of Grand Forks’ spirit—where history, hospitality, and innovation blend seamlessly. Named after Olive Ann Beech, the legendary First Lady of Aviation and co-founder of Beechcraft, the hotel honors Grand Forks’ rich connection to the aerospace industry while offering a luxurious, contemporary experience.
Today, The Olive Ann Hotel stands as a celebration of local heritage and forward-thinking design—where history, hospitality, and innovation meet in the heart of downtown Grand Forks.