About Us

Our Story

The Avalon building in downtown Rochester, Mn has a rich history. Built in 1919 as Northwestern Hotel, it operated as a hotel and restaurant for Jewish travelers and patients. It also became a gathering destination for professionals and intellectuals of all backgrounds. 

 In 1944, a gentleman named Vern Manning purchased the hotel and renamed it the Avalon Hotel. A refuge for all non-Caucasian  patients who, because of the hospital's segregation policies at the time, had no place to go.  Because of  it's reputation as the only hotel in Rochester to accept Black people, it was added to Victor Green's travel guide publication "The Negro Travelers' Green Book"- A guide displaying services and businesses to black travelers.  The Avalon Hotel accommodated quite a few Black celebrity travelers. 

The Avalon Hotel earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. 

In 1987, the hotel became home to Hamilton Music- With studios and a store for musical instruments. In 2008, the building changed ownership again, and became Avalon Music, to reflect the history. Since then, the building has housed offices, apartments and a bistro. 

December 2023... Christine Stahl and Natalie Victoria  purchased the Avalon building - with hopes of bringing a unique, historic venue-  a vibrant space, blending the urban, glam character with the architectural history represented in that era.