| Seen by many as the epitome of 1920s highlife, the Ritz-Carlton is one of the few of Atlantic City’s old hotels still standing today. Situated on the Boardwalk between Belmont and Iowa Avenues, the Ritz first opened for business in June 1921. It had many features popular of hotels at the time, such as freshwater and saltwater taps available in each bathroom, “beach” elevators with direct access from guest rooms to the ocean, a dining room terrace overlooking the sea, a hair salon, and a unique Merry-Go-Round bar. The Ritz is most famous today for having been the hotel of choice for Atlantic City political boss Enoch “Nucky” Johnson. Nucky had the Ritz’s entire ninth floor leased out to conduct his business. Other famous guests at the Ritz included Eddie Cantor, Calvin Coolidge, Warren G. Harding, and mobsters Al Capone and Lucky Luciano. During World War II, the Ritz was occupied by the US Military as soldiers’ barracks while Atlantic City served as Army training and recuperation grounds. In 1969, the Ritz-Carlton was converted from a hotel to an apartment building, and in 1982, became the Ritz Condominiums, which it still operates as today. |  |
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A 1920s postcard shows the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on the Boardwalk. From the Atlantic City Heritage Collections, H049.647.94Rit387. |
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The Ritz Condominiums next to the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in December 2014. |
For more information, see these resources in the Atlantic City Free Public Library, Atlantic City Heritage Collections: Local History Subject Files – Hotels |