Former Plaza Motel Transformed into Luxurious Wall Street Suites
A former motel which fell into disrepair and became something of an eyesore on a prime Bend corner has been polished up and transformed into a new jewel boasting luxurious accommodation close to the downtown hub.
The property previously known as Plaza Motel on Wall Street across from Pioneer Park was originally built in the 1950’s and was once a popular spot for out-of-towners to stay while enjoying the area’s recreational opportunities.
But by the early 2000’s multiple ownerships and lack of upkeep had seen the landmark slump into decline and eventually put up for sale as a bank-owned offering.
Local investors Pat and Wendy Kelley and Vern and Gretchen Palmer stepped in and purchased the property aiming to reclaim its lost heritage, and have spent the last year undertaking a wholesale remodel before re-launching as Wall Street Suites, offering a new level of luxury lodging close to the center of town.
With 15 suites and two guest rooms, the newly-opened facility offers an eclectic and relaxed atmosphere where each suite incorporates a unique combination of custom-designed granite kitchen counters, natural stone showers and flooring, and hardwood finishes. Combining the warmth of north western style with an urban motif influence, each suite has a separate kitchen and living space.
Other features include an outdoor fire pit and a conference room with full kitchen, available for events or other public use. The facility is also pet-friendly and includes a pet yard in rear.
Following the acquisition, the investment group decided to totally gut and rebuild the motel from the inside out.
Gretchen Palmer said, “The goal was to renovate the building and transform it into a motel that included all the amenities of a luxury hotel, while keeping the historical and beloved motel motif. It is such a fabulous location; we felt that the highest and best use of the site was to maintain it as a lodging option.
“The process was both challenging and exciting but we are more than pleased with the outcome.
“Watching this place come back to life, seeing it as it was to what it is now, makes all the hard work worth it.”
The owners also enjoyed using some of their own privately collected materials, such as the individual woods and stones used in each room, to decorate and personalize the motel.
Palmer added, “Wall Street Suites could be a destination within itself. It is a perfect addition to the Bend community, combining quiet and peaceful rooms with the freedom to gather around the community fireplace and meet other travelers, and we see it as something of a prototype for the 21st century luxury motel.”
She said Vern Palmer utilized his vast experience in the residential field of custom building and design garnered as leader of Palmer Homes to help create the unique and diverse finished product.
On the question of why rebuild rather than tear down and start over, she said, “We are proud to see how it has evolved. It has turned into a labor of love, and we have enjoyed the challenge of transforming it into a place of life and fun.
“We look forward to having pride of ownership for years to come through offering personal touches and services other local accommodations can’t provide.”
The property is just two blocks from historic downtown Bend but until the early 1900’s was still considered to be the outskirts of town, before accelerated growth and tourism saw hotels and motels become more abundant.
According to Deschutes Historical Museum records, the original motel was built on what was originally Hill Street. The Plaza Motel often accommodated out-of-towners who enjoyed coming back to the motel after a long day of skiing, motorcycling or socializing with friends and relatives, and many local residents fondly recall staying there as youngsters before moving to Bend later in life.
The Bend Bulletin moved in across the street during the 1960’s until it moved again in the early 2000’s, and The Plaza Motel was known as offering journalists a convenient and relaxing place to stay while in town on business.
But as times changed and Bend went through a period of unprecedented growth, the motel did not keep up, suffering from vacancy and neglect before the major repair and rebirth.
Now all of the woodwork has been treated with European hand-rubbed hardwax oil and the owners say the newly landscaped and well-maintained outdoor common area also offers a “place to build relationships, meet new people, experience impromptu gatherings and breathe in the fresh air.”
Palmer added, “As a premier place to stay, we strive to deliver luxurious comfort, relaxation, and ease of access to all Central Oregon activities while providing a warm yet simple style.
“Whether you choose to enjoy the privacy of your own suite or socialize and relax around our outdoor fireplace, Wall Street Suites is the perfect place to build memories and experience life in Bend.
“Each space is insulated for sound control and is totally unique, coming with its own combination of carefully selected woods of Alder, Beech, Walnut, Western and Siberian Birch or Hickory with unique stone and tile such as Ming, Sandstone, Marble, Slate and Travertine, as well as variations of unique Slab Granite.
“The beautiful combination of wood, granite and tile provides each guest with a visual experience of the Central Oregon relationship between the High Desert and Cascade forest.
“We see this as a great niche of luxury lodging close to downtown where visitors can avail themselves of the amenities we all enjoy.”
www.wallstreetsuitesbend.com, 541-706-9006.
