The Hotel Florence opened on November 1, 1881 as the hospitality showcase for visitors to George Pullman's "perfect town" of Pullman. The hotel was named for George's favorite daughter, Florence.

The hotel building cost $100,000 to build and interior fixtures and furnishings totaled over $30,000. The original main building contains over 23,000 square feet, with the later "Annex" addition, built in the 1910's.