TACOMA, Wash. — Another iconic, but run-down building in downtown Tacoma may be renovated into a small hotel with multiple bars.
The company behind the restoration of the Old City Hall building is a familiar name: Portaland based brewpub operator McMenamins.
The McMenamin brothers are known for renovating old buildings and are about to get started on the old Elks Lodge in Tacoma this spring.
The potential new project that was just announced is right across the street.
Tacoma bought the Old City Hall building last June for $4 million, but it's in disrepair and the city asked for developers to make some offers. That’s when the McMenamin brothers came forward.
While they've been developing the old Elks Lodge, where they recorded a recent video, they've grown to love the Old City Hall building, which is a historic landmark, too.
They plan to renovate it in to a 60-room boutique hotel. There would be four small bars utilizing some of the building's features, like the jailhouse, clock tower, and rooftop greenhouse.
There would also be a rooftop restaurant, meeting spaces, soaking pools, and a gift shop.
But the deal is far from done. McMenamins and the city have to work out a lease agreement, which would see the developers renovating the building for the city, with an option to purchase when it's completed in 2019.
There's no doubt the Portland-based developer has had success with projects like this.
McMenamins opened in Bothell in October on a five-acre property that was the old Anderson School. It’s now home to a hotel, bars, a movie theater and a saltwater pool.
The company currently operates hotel and entertainment venues at 18 other historical locations in Washington and Oregon.
KIRO
