Why do some buildings, primarily apartment buildings and hotels, have “Arms” in their name? Does it have any relation to weapons or armories?
Comes from the coat of arms which was (still is?) used ornamentally on the armor, clothes and residences of royalty.
Regard: The Royal Arms Hotel.
I suppose an apartment building could have originally been owned by a prestigious family and the family’s coat of arms is displayed somewhere on the building. Or it could just be a gimick to make the property look sort-of-old-fashioned-in-a-European-way. Like modern day businesses calling themselves Ye Olde Muffin Shoppe.
It probably goes back to England’s pubs. Pubs used to serve as inns as well as drinking establishments. And a sign with a coat of arms and a name like “The King’s Arms” is a stereotypical icon of a pub.