March Portland Trip

A 331-room Luxury Collection Hotel (Starwood Hotels & Resorts) is scheduled to open in downtown Portland this fall. Known as “The Nines,” the hotel will occupy the top nine floors of the historic Meier & Frank Building; a stylishly renovated Macy’s department store will fill the building’s lower five levels. A key component of the $148 million project is converting the top floors of the former department from a solid box to a hollow square. The creation of this atrium will give all of the hotel rooms – even those on the interior – access to a view and natural light. The interior rooms will overlook the glass-roofed lobby area, while the exterior rooms will enjoy city views. The hotel’s plans also call for an atrium restaurant on the lobby level, a rooftop lounge, a 7,000-square-foot ballroom, and 7,000 square feet of additional conference, meeting and banquet facilities. An elevator lobby on the Morrison Street side of the building will provide dedicated access to the 8th floor’s grand lobby. The address for the new hotel will be 525 S.W. Morrison St., Portland, Ore. 97204.

For the project’s eco-conscious renovation efforts, the developer, Sage Hospitality Resources, is seeking LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. While still preserving the elegant detailing of the 1908 Meier & Frank Building, Sage was still able to incorporate water-conservation plumbing, which will save some 400,000 gallons of water per year, as well as energy-efficient mechanical systems. The Nines will also contract with renewable energy sources and, when open, implement a “green housekeeping” policy.

For decades after its opening, the Meier & Frank Department Store was one of the largest retail outlets west of the Mississippi. In 2005, Meier & Frank, whose original Portland store had opened in 1857, was acquired by Macy’s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Meier & Frank Building was designed by Portland architect A. E. Doyle and is one of the earliest examples of a terra-cotta-type commercial palace.

Lisa Hill, P.R. Account Representative for The Nines, 503.327.8328, lisa@broussardhill.com
Ashley Bleimes, P.R. Account Representative for The Nines, 212.255.6541, ashley@hawkpr.com

Portland Perks coupon book includes: 2 for 1 lunch.

At Kells, being Irish is an attitude—a state of mind. It’s a dedication to enjoying life, enjoying good times in the company of friends.

“Everyone is Irish when they set foot in Kells.” –Gerard McAleese, proprietor

The Portland Perks hotel package includes free parking, complimentary continental breakfast for two and the discount-packed Portland Perks coupon book, filled with savings on dining, tax-free shopping, attractions, the arts and more. This exclusive package is only available through Travel Portland.

An authentic all-seasons Ming Dynasty classical Chinese garden with a teahouse built by artisans from Suzhou, China. An urban oasis of tranquil beauty and harmony. Never twice the same.

One of the 25 largest museums in the country, the Portland Art Museum showcases impressive touring exhibitions and permanent collections of American, European, Asian, Native American, and contemporary art. With over 35,000 works of art, it is the region's most comprehensive visual arts resource.



New: We suggest checking out the newest exhibit, The Quest for Immortality -- Treasures of Ancient Egypt. Read our blog about a recent staff visit here.

Tucked in a nondescript building is the world's largest perfume house, owned by Chris Tsefalas, a world-renouned expert perfumer. He can smell a sample scent that you bring, and find an exact match in his store, or tell you why he can't. Mr. Tesfalas imports perfumes from all over, and he devotion to his craft is obvious. He has been in the business for decades, but always treats you like you are his first customer and sees to it that you leave with the scent you want.

Built in 1909, this unique restaurant features "classic American grill" cuisine, such as roast beef, mashed potatoes, onion rings, chicken pot pie and meat loaf & gravy dominate the menu.

On Thursday February 19, 2009 at 7:30p.m. The Portland Jazz Orchesrta will celebrate 70 years of phenomenal jazz with the 2009 Portland Jazz Festival, which salutes Blue Note Records—the world's finest jazz record label, documenting historic achievements of icons ranging from Art Blakey and Miles Davis to Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Take in a panoramic overview of the label's success in this array of influential works by some of Blue Note's most legendary artists.

Recommend the patio for enjoying downtown Portland's summer evening. The newly reconstructed area out back has a raised area with picnic tables as well as two covered table spaces.