St. John's Restaurant is located in the former St. John's Hotel building. Built as a hotel at the turn of the twentieth century during the bustle of the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo, the flat iron building later served as a brothel. After being condemned and nearly torn down in the 1990's local architect and preservationist Thomas Johnson purchased the building and began restoration immediately. In addition to St. John's Restaurant and St. John's Meeting Place, the St. John's building houses fine retail shops and luxury apartments on the floors above.