.gif)
Imperial Hotel (Portland, Oregon)
Encyclopedia
The Hotel Vintage Plaza, formerly the Imperial Hotel and The Plaza Hotel, is a historic hotel building in downtown
Portland
, Oregon
, United States. It was completed in 1894 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1985.
architectural style. It has also been known as the Wells Building, after one of its builders, George F. Wells.
A major expansion was built in 1909 in the form of a separate building, adjacent, known as the New Imperial Hotel
. At the end of 1949, the two buildings that had comprised the Imperial were made into separate hotels, when the new building was sold. The original, 1894 building was renamed the Plaza Hotel, while the newer building retained the Imperial name (named the Hotel Lucia
since 2002).
A glass false storefront was removed in a renovation done in the 1980s, revealing the structure's lower level stonework. The hotel's former name appears in the stonework
above the Washington Street entrance. By at least the early 1980s the building's use as a hotel had ended, although it continued to be commonly referred to as the Plaza Hotel, and was in use as an office building, formally known as Wells Financial Center. However, it suffered from a high vacancy rate, attributed in part to an excess of available office space in downtown Portland
.
The building was designated a Portland historical landmark in spring 1985 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places
on December 2, 1985.
In 1989, the building was acquired by Kimco Hotel Management (now Kimpton Hotels & Restaurant Group
) and remodeled as a
boutique hotel
. Renamed the Hotel Vintage Plaza, it reopened in May 1991. E
Each room is themed after a local winery or vineyard
. It was named one of the "Top 500 Hotels in the World" by Travel + Leisure
magazine, and was named "most romantic hotel" by Citysearch
Portland.
Downtown Portland
Downtown Portland, the city center of Portland, Oregon, United States, is located on the west bank of the Willamette River. It is in the northeastern corner of the southwest section of the city and is where most of the city's high-rise buildings are found....
Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States. It was completed in 1894 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1985.
History
Construction began in 1892, and the hotel opened in March 1894. The building is in the Richardsonian RomanesqueRichardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque is a style of Romanesque Revival architecture named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson, whose masterpiece is Trinity Church, Boston , designated a National Historic Landmark...
architectural style. It has also been known as the Wells Building, after one of its builders, George F. Wells.
A major expansion was built in 1909 in the form of a separate building, adjacent, known as the New Imperial Hotel
New Imperial Hotel
The Hotel Lucia is a historic hotel building in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. It was built in 1909-1910 as an extension of the adjacent Imperial Hotel...
. At the end of 1949, the two buildings that had comprised the Imperial were made into separate hotels, when the new building was sold. The original, 1894 building was renamed the Plaza Hotel, while the newer building retained the Imperial name (named the Hotel Lucia
New Imperial Hotel
The Hotel Lucia is a historic hotel building in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. It was built in 1909-1910 as an extension of the adjacent Imperial Hotel...
since 2002).
A glass false storefront was removed in a renovation done in the 1980s, revealing the structure's lower level stonework. The hotel's former name appears in the stonework
Stonemasonry
The craft of stonemasonry has existed since the dawn of civilization - creating buildings, structures, and sculpture using stone from the earth. These materials have been used to construct many of the long-lasting, ancient monuments, artifacts, cathedrals, and cities in a wide variety of cultures...
above the Washington Street entrance. By at least the early 1980s the building's use as a hotel had ended, although it continued to be commonly referred to as the Plaza Hotel, and was in use as an office building, formally known as Wells Financial Center. However, it suffered from a high vacancy rate, attributed in part to an excess of available office space in downtown Portland
Downtown Portland
Downtown Portland, the city center of Portland, Oregon, United States, is located on the west bank of the Willamette River. It is in the northeastern corner of the southwest section of the city and is where most of the city's high-rise buildings are found....
.
The building was designated a Portland historical landmark in spring 1985 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on December 2, 1985.
In 1989, the building was acquired by Kimco Hotel Management (now Kimpton Hotels & Restaurant Group
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurant Group
The Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group Inc. is an American hotel and restaurant company. Founded in 1981 by William Kimpton and led by Chief Executive Officer Michael Depatie, it is the largest chain of boutique hotels in the United States. The company's headquarters are in San Francisco,...
) and remodeled as a
boutique hotel
Boutique hotel
Boutique hotel is a term popularized in North America and the United Kingdom to describe intimate, usually luxurious or unique hotel environments. Boutique hotels differentiate themselves from larger chain/branded hotels and motels by providing personalized accommodation and services / facilities...
. Renamed the Hotel Vintage Plaza, it reopened in May 1991. E
Each room is themed after a local winery or vineyard
Oregon wine
The state of Oregon in the United States has established an international reputation for its production of wine. Oregon has several different growing regions within the state's borders which are well-suited to the cultivation of grapes; additional regions straddle the border between Oregon and the...
. It was named one of the "Top 500 Hotels in the World" by Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure is a travel magazine based in New York City, New York. Published 12 times a year, it has 4.8 million readers, according to its corporate media kit. It is put out by American Express Publishing Corporation, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company led by...
magazine, and was named "most romantic hotel" by Citysearch
Citysearch
Citysearch is an online city guide that provides information about businesses in the categories of dining, entertainment, retail, travel, and professional services in cities throughout the United States. Visitors to each of Citysearch's local city guides will find contact information, maps, driving...
Portland.
See also
- New Imperial HotelNew Imperial HotelThe Hotel Lucia is a historic hotel building in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. It was built in 1909-1910 as an extension of the adjacent Imperial Hotel...
, adjacent, and also NRHP-listed - Architecture of Portland, Oregon
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Southwest Portland, OregonNational Register of Historic Places listings in Southwest Portland, OregonThe following list attempts to comprehensively present the full set of National Register of Historic Places listings in Southwest Portland, Oregon, and offers brief descriptive information about each of them...
External links
- Hotel Vintage Plaza (official website)