History of the Rose Garden Inn, a Berkeley Boutique Hotel

Both houses were built by James and John Marshall. The Marshall brothers were turn of the century real estate developers and businessmen. Their principle business was concrete paving. The Marshall brothers did all of the sidewalks in the City of Berkeley and many sidewalks in Oakland. They attained a certain measure of fame by developing a faux stone look to their concrete finish work. Several of the pillars surrounding the hotel appear to be made of stone block which is really the Marshall Brothers' concrete work.

The home at 2740 Telegraph Avenue was built in 1903. It withstood the 1906 earthquake. One month after the earthquake on May 15, 1906 the Daily Gazette published a front page story headlining: "The Marshall Mansion is Sold." The article reported that Patrick O'Brien, a Tonapah millionaire from the gold fields was "struck by the beauty of the house, at once sought out the owner and asked his price."

The same article goes on to tell us that the Marshall Brothers would "commence at once" to build a home on the adjacent lot on the corner of Stuart and Telegraph Avenue and that the new house would be "an even larger and more handsome residence."

The Carraige House was the actual carriage shelter for the Fay House. The Garden House was added sometime after the Second World War. The Cottage House was built in 1991.

The original Marshall house at 2740 Telegraph was converted into a hotel in 1979. In 1984 the hotel was expanded by the acquisition of the second Marshall house. This mansion was owned by Dr. Jewel Fay from 1920 to 1984 and is locally known as the "Fay House".

Many upgrades have been completed at the Inn. All guest rooms have new carpet, paint, wallpaper, data-port telephones and hew amenities. Public areas have been updated with antique and period furniture, carpet, paint and wallpaper. We have installed new decking and patios in our outdoor areas.