The Montvale Hotel almost closed and has operated in receivership from the bankruptcy courts in recent months after some hard times fell on the hotel. The hotel was, for a time owned by local developer Rob Brewster who went belly up after getting in over his head in local real estate projects.
But now, it looks like the hard times may be in the past for The Montvale as the new owner is well known local Developer Jerry Dicker, who already owns numerous properties in the Montvale's neighborhood. The hotel will go under Dicker's Ruby Hospitality business which operates the Hotel Ruby and Ruby 2, both artsy hotels within a few blocks of this property. The Montvale Hotel's address is 1005 W. First Ave, corner of 1st and Monroe.
The Montvale Hotel will have some work done to it, starting right away, but will retain much of it's historic appeal and remain open for business during any renovations. The property is a 36 room hotel that first opened back in 1899 as an SRO ( single room occupancy ) and is the oldest hotel in the city.
Upgrades will be done throughout, including repairing / restoring the original skylights and décor in the hotel rooms / common areas. In addition, mechanical systems, including the air conditioning will be repaired. But, it's the renovations themselves that will likely get peoples attention...
The lobby area will be expanded into the corner retail space ( last used as a bar, named Scout ) with a new coffee shop added within that space. The new coffee shop will be open to the public, not just hotel guests, and as of now remains to be named. The basement space, where a restaurant named Catacombs Pub last operated will also be fixed up and re-opened as a new restaurant.
The building has also been home to Scratch Restaurant and their sister business Rain Lounge for sometime now. These two businesses, that face 1st Ave, just west of the lobby will likely remain open in the current locations unchanged.
The new owners, Ruby Hospitality, plan to incorporate some of their " life is art " treatment to this hotel as Jerry Dicker and his wife are also big into art. Dicker, had this to say about taking over operations at The Montvale Hotel-
“We are thrilled to add the Montvale to our hotel options. My wife, Patty, and I have a passion for art and historical preservation. We look forward to installing amazing art that will be both contemporary and consistent with the historic feel of the Montvale. Our guests will be treated to a first class operation that will be consistent with the hotel’s original era but will include all the comforts of today."
Jerry Dicker, who also owns the commercial development firm, GVD Commercial Properties has invested heavily in Spokane in the last couple of years. Dicker, recently opened Ruby Suites , a " serviced residence " hotel property at the Burgan's Furniture building in the University District. They also recently acquired the former Dempsey's Brass Rail bar building Downtown. He and his company are currently renovating that building as well to house their own headquarters on the second floor and what will likely be a new bar and / or restaurant on the first floor.
For more information about The Montvale Hotel, visit it's website at ( online room booking also included ) -
www.montvalespokane.com
Or, find The Montvale Hotel on Facebook at-
www.facebook.com/montvalehotel
