The Burnside Blog

Posted By Mike Thelin on 03/25/2008

Image Courtesy of Portland Maps

Hotel Cornelius: Better Days to Come

Downtown Portland may be a planning success story, but during the week past five in the evening, the Central Business District can resemble ghost town. Few people live there, and while the CBD is full of hotels that cater to business travelers, not many hotels have successfully energized their surrounding streetscape. Bundled with hotel restaurants, in-room coffee percolators and mezzanine-level bars, the modern business hotel is designed to be a place that a traveller never has to leave. However, while most hotels foster an oasis from urbanity, some are increasingly providing a link to it.

The new wave of boutique hotels attempt to connect with their surroundings. Hotels like the Jupiter and the Ace Hotel, not only serve out-of-town travelers, their amenities also serve Portlanders. Both projects have been instrumental in revitalizing their respective neighborhoods into 24-hour destinations. On any given day, there are just as many locals in the Ace Hotel lobby or the open fire pit at the Jupiter Hotel as out-of-town visitors.

In today’s Portland Tribune, Lee Van Der Doo, has written the most descriptive piece on the downtown’s forthcoming Hotel Cornelius yet. Slated to become a business-class hotel after its full renovation to be complete in June 2009, the 1908 building on SW Alder Street and Park Avenue could have similar potential, if it’s done right.

The 66-room Cornelius will renovate what’s, in my opinion, one of Downtown’s most attractive buildings that’s only a block from the food carts and only three from Pioneer Courthouse Square. What’s more, the ground floor will be anchored by a bar and restaurant.

So, will it be a success like the Ace and Jupiter, or will it be just another downtown hotel?