Located in the center of Portland’s cultural district, the historic Heathman Hotel is refreshing, with all 151 guestrooms and shared spaces going contemporary. The renovations on the luxury hotel, first opened in 1927, are spearheaded by designer Jackie McGee and the creative team at Perkins + Will. McGee, holding a degree in Theatre/Film Design from the Central School of Art and Design at London University, adds features that include changes to the hotel’s pièce de résistance: the soaring, two-story Tea Court, reimagined as a modern version of the grand social salons found in Europe, hosting literary events and weekend Russian Tea service designed by Headwaters’ executive chef Vitaly Paley.

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Inspiration for the new design is drawn in part from the hotel’s unique connection to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, home to the Oregon Symphony Orchestra (connected to the hotel). This creative link, heightened by the stunning collection of books housed in a grand bookcase and by original works of art, is made inviting with a floor-to-ceiling fireplace framed in handcrafted tiles, and walls sporting William Morris wallpaper.

In guestrooms, visitors will find curated selections of books to enjoy during their stay, selected from Portland’s popular Powell’s bookstore. Natural materials including wood-paneled walls, wood floors, hand-blown glass credenzas, bathrooms with floating wooden shelves and showers encased in glass doors. Artwork by area artists includes “Rose City” by Katie Jeanne Reim, “St. John’s Bridge” by Barry D. Kaine, “Sellwood” by Tony Thomas, “Dimension 9” by Hilary Winfield and “Poppies” by Rachel Ann Austin. Renovations are expected to be complete in June of this year.