The Riverhouse, owned by Clyde Purcell, Mary Lou Purcell and Wayne Purcell of Bend has been sold to Vancouver, Washington-based Vesta Hospitality. According to a spokesperson for Vesta Hospitality the goal now is to enhance the guest experience with room and dining upgrades for the full-service convention center. River’s Edge Golf Course is not part of the sale. The Purcells will continue to develop residential lots around the golf course and along the river south of the convention center. Rocky Adrianson, the current general manager, and his staff will remain with the hotel.
Under new ownership by a partnership led by Vesta Hospitality the Riverhouse will upgrade its rooms and dining facilities, implement technological and efficiency improvements and enhance the sales efforts to drive tourism on the Deschutes River.
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 Central Oregon gem,” said Rick Takach, president and CEO of Vesta Hospitality. “
Clyde and Mary Lou Purcell, along with Arnie Swarens, built the first phase of the hotel in 1974. Swarens sold his share of the business in the early 1990s. The Purcells have owned and operated the business for over 40 years. The hotel was initially 94 rooms and grew over the years with multiple expansions. The Riverhouse now has 220 hotel rooms, Crossings Restaurant and a convention center with meeting space totaling approximately 36,000 square feet.
“We want to thank all the people who have supported us over the years including city and county employees, businesses and so many other individuals,” remarked Wayne Purcell who has been serving as managing partner. “Without their support, we could not have made it all these years. We are proud of the business we built, but our greatest achievement has been what we were able to do for the community and the people we helped.”
Over the years the Riverhouse has been able to donate millions of dollars in cash and in-kind donations. “We are especially proud of The Gala at The Riverhouse,” said Wayne. “Along with our partners at the Central Oregon Visitors Association, the Gala raised over $2.3 million. It was a pleasure working with the Gala committee and the hardworking charities that were part of the Gala each year.”
Over the past twenty years The Gala at The Riverhouse raised millions for local beneficiaries such as Sparrow Clubs, KIDS Center, Family Resource Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon, Ronald McDonald House, Every Kid Fund, Deschutes Children’s Foundation, Tower Theatre, Cascade Youth and Family Center, Habitat For Humanity, Volunteers in Medicine and Heart of Oregon Corp and Grandma’s House.
“We have had great employees over the years and we appreciate all they have done to make The Riverhouse what it is today,” Wayne added. “I think one of the best things businesses can do is to give someone their first job. Schools can only do so much, then it is up to us as business people to teach young people how to succeed in their jobs and personal lives as well.
“When we contemplated the sale, it was important to find a buyer that cared for its employees and also wanted to be involved in the community. We were fortunate to find such a buyer. Vesta Hospitality is one of the owners and will manage the hotel. The new owners have been great to work with and share many of the same values we do. We look forward to them doing great things for The Riverhouse and the community.
“This is not the end of us doing business in Bend. We will continue to own and operate The River’s Edge Golf Course. We will also continue to develop residential lots around the golf course and lots along the river south of the convention center. We will continue to be active in the community and appreciate the opportunity be part of Central Oregon. For my mom, my dad and me, thank you again to all of you who have helped us over the years.”
According to Takach, “Vesta brings years of experience in hospitality constructive management and operations that will enable the 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 drive tourism growth.”
Planned renovations will significantly upgrade the Riverhouse’s accommodations and dining, as well as enhance the natural beauty of the Deschutes River. While currently in initial planning stages, improvements to the hotel will begin in fall 2015 and will be complete by spring 2016.
The Riverhouse provides deluxe riverfront accommodations and extensive meeting facilities with state-of-the-art audiovisual technologies. The Purcell family, under the leadership of Wayne Purcell, built an additional 200-room hotel, convention center, golf course, restaurant and home sites beginning in 1980.
The Riverhouse is surrounded by beautiful walking and hiking trails around the Deschutes River and is ideally situated near Bend’s numerous retail districts and breweries, and just a short drive from the famed Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. The Riverhouse Convention Center houses the largest meeting space in Central Oregon and is able to accommodate more than 1,000 guests for seated meals and more than 1,700 for receptions.
The Convention Center was built using environmentally sustainable constructions techniques and materials, including lumber from trees on the property, and has high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.
www.riverhouse.com or 866-453-4480.
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, Vesta Hospitality is one of the nation’s leading, privately owned hotel management and development firms. With a portfolio of twelve properties across the United States and Canada, Vesta continues to seek out opportunities in key markets across North America.
www.vestahospitality.com
