News of the latest plans for the Hotel John Marshall provoked memories. We thought of previous projects of promise that somehow fell through. We also thought more happily of the hotel during its glory days. The research for the following is drawn from romance, not from scholarly monographs, so reader beware. The John Marshall figures prominently in Virginia’s political lore. On most election nights the hotel served as the headquarters for candidates as they prepared victory celebrations—or wakes. Countless civic groups used the hotel’s meeting rooms as well. Within the confines, brides and grooms toasted their eternal bliss. Once upon a time the John Marshall Barber Shop was in the John Marshall. Governors dropped by for a clip. Customers took the time to lie about their golf games.

A renovation of the landmark Hotel John Marshall in downtown Richmond appears ready to proceed after years of hyped-but-never-delivered plans for a revival. Detailed plans were filed recently with the city for work to convert the vacant 1929 hotel into 238 apartments, with retail space and a banquet hall. The Residences at Hotel John Marshall, at 101 N. Fifth St., are planned by Dominion Realty Partners and would include 76 efficiency apartments, 111 one-bedroom units and 51 two-bedroom units, according to the documents filed to support applications for construction and demolition permits.

The 79-year-old Hotel John Marshall is starting to crumble. Several limestone panels from the landmark building’s facade broke loose yesterday, falling several stories to the lower-floor roof of the hotel’s main entrance and the sidewalk below.