Today West Elm announced Portland, Maine as the newest location for its
West Elm Hotels portfolio, expected to open in 2020. The 150 room,
full-service boutique hotel will be developed on Portland’s waterfront
by Portland Foreside Development Company LLC, and operated by hotel
development and management company DDK, West Elm Hotels’ exclusive
operator.
“Portland has experienced a renaissance within the past decade, creating
a distinct and modern vibe, while honoring its maritime history,” said
Peter Fowler, vice president of West Elm Hospitality. “Our collaboration
with Portland Foreside Development Company brings forth local knowledge
and expertise that will deliver an original experience for guests, as
well as the surrounding seaside community. Together, we will celebrate
the city’s past and create opportunities for discerning guests to
discover Portland.”
The property will be located in Portland Foreside, a new neighborhood
development in the area formerly known as the Portland Company Complex.
The Foreside neighborhood will be a vibrant area of town with a wide mix
of retail, food and beverage, residential, office, hospitality, and a
deep-water marina, all designed to encourage year-round enjoyment and
community engagement. Portland Foreside is positioned to become the
city’s premier destination for locals and tourists to appreciate
Portland’s history, engage in the harbor’s many activities, celebrate
special events, enjoy retail and entertainment offerings, and indulge in
the renowned local food fare.
"Portland Foreside Development Company is excited about West Elm’s
commitment to the City of Portland. We share the vision of connecting
travelers to the daily life of Portland by focusing on a unique
experience, highlighting the city’s local character, and delivering
one-of-a-kind amenities and services modern travelers crave most,” said
Casey Prentice, manager of Portland Foreside Development Company.
The hotel will be situated overlooking Portland's waterfront, directly
east of the Ocean Gateway Terminal and the waterfront public open space
known as Portland Landing, and will offer expansive vistas of Casco Bay,
Fort Gorges and neighboring island communities. West Elm will utilize
its extensive retail and marketing expertise to design a unique
hospitality experience that pays homage to the coastal city’s rich
history and burgeoning waterfront community.
Plans for the hotel and surrounding development include:
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150 guest rooms
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Lobby bar and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating
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Outdoor pool, including spectacular views of the harbor
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Retail spaces curated in the historic core of the development and next
to the hotel
West Elm Hotels was announced in September 2016, with properties
scheduled to open in Detroit, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Oakland and
Savannah, beginning in early 2019. As part of West Elm's ongoing
commitment and relationship with makers around the world, each West Elm
Hotel, including the Portland location, will feature local design
elements that celebrate the community and reflect traditional décor,
handicraft, cuisine and culture from the region. As West Elm Hotels’
exclusive operator, DDK will lead property development with local
partners, from the spirit of the General Manager as Innkeeper, to
engaging makers, artists, and community empowerment within the Portland
market.
For additional details about West Elm Hotels, please visit http://westelmhotels.com/
About West Elm
Headquartered in Brooklyn, NY since 2002, West Elm opened its first
store in DUMBO, the neighborhood it still proudly calls home. With a
mission of harnessing the power of design and human connection to enrich
lives, everything West Elm does is designed to make an impact in
everyday life, from creating unique, affordable designs for modern
living and commitment to Fair Trade Certified, from LOCAL and
handcrafted products to community-driven collaborations and events. The
brand operates 101 retail stores in the United States, Australia, Canada
and the UK, ships internationally to customers around the world and
operates stores in Mexico, the Middle East, Philippines and South Korea
through unaffiliated franchisees. In addition to home furnishings
retail, West Elm operates West
Elm Workspace in the commercial furnishings industry and announced
its expansion into the travel and hospitality industry with the launch of
West Elm Hotels.
West Elm publishes the blog Front+Main
and is part of an active community on Facebook,
Instagram,
Pinterest,
Twitter
and YouTube.
West Elm is a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) portfolio
of brands.
About Portland Foreside Development Company
Portland Foreside Development Company LLC, an affiliate of CPB2 LLC, is
a privately-owned and locally managed real estate development firm based
in Portland, Maine that was formed to implement the development of the
10-acre waterfront site and adjoining deep water marina located at 58
Fore Street, part of the downtown area of Portland, Maine. The
development envisions fulfilling the Master Development Plan that was
approved by the City of Portland in December of 2016, which calls for
the creation of a vibrant, waterfront neighborhood with a diverse mix of
uses that encourages year-round enjoyment and community engagement. More
information about Portland Foreside Development Company LLC is available
here: www.portlandforeside.com.