(Photo above: The Riverhouse Hotel | courtesy of The Riverhouse)

New Owners Plan Major Facelift for Bend Hotel & Convention Center

One of Central Oregon’s most treasured waterside gems, The Riverhouse Hotel & Convention Center, is set to shine even brighter with the benefit of a planned $8 million makeover by new owners Vesta Hospitality.

Vancouver-based Vesta acquired the Bend landmark property overlooking the Deschutes River – also home to the region’s largest convention center – earlier this year from the Purcell family, and plans a major overhaul including upgrading rooms and dining facilities as well as implementing technological and efficiency improvements to take the facility “to the next level.”

“As a hospitality firm with strong ties to Oregon and the greater Pacific Northwest, we are excited to work with management at the Riverhouse Hotel to enrich this irreplaceable Central Oregon asset,” said Rick Takach, president and CEO of Vesta Hospitality.

“We see this as an opportunity to add value and Vesta brings years of experience in hospitality constructive management and operations that will enable Riverhouse to achieve its full potential as a must-visit destination in Bend.

“Our planned renovation and supporting of a regional sales force will showcase the hotel as a cornerstone of the region’s hospitality industry and further drive tourism growth.”

The bulk of the renovation work will be focused on the interior of the 220-room hotel off NE Third Street nestled on the banks of the Deschutes in several buildings, including the Crossings restaurant, originally developed in the 1970s.

Takach hailed the 53,000 square foot conference center, built in 2005 with the capacity for over 1,000 seated guests, as one of the finest facilities of its type he had ever seen and that piece of the portfolio would only require minor updating, though he revealed that some $130,000 had been already authorized to update audio-visual systems in line with the latest technology.

He said the scope of renovations was being finalized further in meetings with consultants, current staff and the wider community, including the convening of focus groups to gather public input. After the planning and permitting process, work was anticipated to start November 1 and be complete by the end of March next year.

The services of local architects Neal Huston & Associates have been engaged to work alongside Texas-based hospitality general construction/design specialists Plante’s Hotel Renovations (PHR) on the project.

Initial tentative touted plans include major alterations to the restaurant and bar to create a more open floor plan with a central bar, while guest services are anticipated to be moved into the Crossings building, which would create the possibility of the existing front desk being repurposed to a use such as retail in support of the overall facility.

Part of the thrust is to improve amenities and access to the outdoor patio terrace area to better utilize the building’s proximity to the river.

“This is really a unique setting and we want to create more opportunities for people to enjoy drinks and appetizers and just relax on the deck as part of a soothing environment,” added Takach. “And we are surrounded by beautiful walking and hiking trails around the river, which is another great amenity for our guests to enjoy.”

He said the renovation project would be aimed at positioning the facility to accommodate a mix of guests, from outdoor enthusiasts using the hotel as “base camp” for their activities to working professionals seeking premier workspace and technology connections.

“We are trying to cater to a diverse group and are investing in room upgrades, staffing – including a first-rate existing team – and systems to better integrate services and accommodate a variety of traveler needs,” said Takach, who added that his company also has an option on land to the south of the convention center that could accommodate 50-60 new upscale suites, which could also appeal to the extended stay business traveler.

“We are very excited to be part of the community and we know how fond people are of this wonderful asset.

“My job is to help take the property to the next level and we embrace the opportunity to bring back a prime location in Central Oregon to a like-new-condition”

The River’s Edge Golf Course remains under the Purcell family’s ownership. While the Riverhouse will continue to refer hotel guests and visitors to River’s Edge, the hotel and golf course do not have a formal arrangement. Tee times should be booked directly through River’s Edge.

The Riverhouse acquisition is the latest and one of the largest deals for Vesta, a hotel acquisition, development and management company that was launched in 1996 as the Northwest Hospitality Group and renamed as Vesta Hospitality a decade later.

The company currently owns 13 hotels at scattered U.S. locations including the Comfort Suites in Redmond. During its history, it has built or acquired 45 hotels, typically with financial backing from investors, leveraging its team’s more than 100 years of combined experience to optimize opportunities.

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