WASHINGTON: The end is near for parts of the former Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay. The Port of Vancouver announced Thursday it will start dismantling segments of the old hotel as early as March 16. Crews will spend about four weeks tearing down 113 rooms in the north and west wings. Port officials said that the demolition isn’t expected to impact traffic or visitors to WareHouse ’23, the restaurant that opened in July at the hotel’s old riverfront restaurant.
Demolishing parts of the hotel, which closed October 2015, is expected to make room for a new hotel that is a centerpiece for Terminal 1, the port’s upcoming waterfront redevelopment project. That hotel, AC Hotel by Marriott, will be developed by Vancouver-based firm Vesta Hospitality. Construction won’t begin until next year, according to Rob Gartner, vice president of business development with the firm. The 100,000-square-foot hotel is designed to include between 150 and 160 rooms, 160 parking spaces, 5,000 square feet of meeting space, and potentially a rooftop lounge, Gartner said.
“That’s one of the things we’re pretty excited about due to the location and being able to capture some really great views,” he said. He declined to disclose the project’s overall price tag and the potential room rates. “We’ll be driven by the market,” he said about room rates. Before construction can begin, the city of Vancouver must first approve the port’s Concept Development Plan, an ostensible master plan for the 10.37-acre waterfront property. Public comment is open on the plan through March 17. City council could vote to approve the plans in late spring or early summer.
