Los Angeles-based brand Palisociety has announced the opening of Hotel Grand Stark, its latest property in the Pacific Northwest. Sitting across the river from Portland’s downtown core, the 57-room boutique has been thoughtfully designed and reimagines its hospitality roots. The four-storey structure was originally built in 1908 as a hotel – née Hotel Chamberlain in 1924 – and has housed a legendary local furniture manufacturer for the past 80 years. Today, its façade sits at the corner of SE Grand Ave and SE Stark St, with signage taking cues from the furniture store’s original sign, which marked the intersection for decades.

Known for its neighbourhood-centric approach to hospitality, Palisociety has partnered with Portland-based North 45 Projects on the design of the hotel’s common areas and with Submarine Hospitality for the F&B programme and two distinct culinary concepts on-property, open to both locals and hotel guests alike.

Envisioned as a communal hub, Hotel Grand Stark features a gallery-inspired central lobby – a light area with original hardwood floors and white-washed walls – that connects the public spaces upon entry with a neutral backdrop punctuated by an art installation showcasing local artists and makers, custom furnishings and vintage pieces. Modernist archways line both sides of the lobby and tall ceilings are highlighted with an assortment of industrial-style lighting, while clusters of lounge-style seating include mixed and matched furniture – marble tables, leather chairs and wood side tables – and a central skylight adds natural illumination. To the right, a front desk area awaits with a dark green centrepiece desk that sits before a wall of Breccia Pernice marble in a terracotta tone. Behind the front desk, guests will find the Study Hall, a separate area designed as a community work and meeting venue that can be used as a private dining room.

To the left upon entry, Submarine Hospitality’s Grand Stark Deli is a casual space with central counter service and café-style seating, evoking the team’s favourite classic delis, vintage diners and European Tabacs. The venue offers diners the flexibility to choose from an evolving menu throughout the day, with each iteration, accommodating a variety of occasions, keeping in line with the group’s overarching ethos: “locally sourced, aggressively seasonal.” Debuting this summer, Bar Chamberlain, Submarine Hospitality’s reimagining of the classic hotel watering hole, sits at the back of the lobby with a central bar, banquette and café style seating, as well as brick floors and a warm allure that is perfect for intimate dinners and late-night cocktails.

Upstairs, 57 guestrooms sit on three floors and feature a bright and airy aesthetic, pairing light blue walls with light wood floors original to the building. A playful mix of millwork, textiles and patterns are layered throughout, combining florals, tartans and woven elements to create dimension and personality in the space, while vintage rugs and custom lighting add a residential-inspired touches of comfort and style. The mix of king, queen and double-bedded rooms all feature fine Italian linens, bathrooms with luxe rain showers and Diptyque amenities, as well as Smeg mini fridges and signature Palisociety mini bars stocked with gourmet snacks. Select rooms also offer views of downtown Portland, a dedicated workspace and cosy seating area.

Hotel Grand Stark is part of Palisociety’s expanding independent collection, sitting alongside its signature Palihouse and Palihotel properties with a moniker of its own. In addition to its recent acquisition of the Arrive brand, the hotel is the brand’s second new 2021 opening, following Palihouse Santa Barbara, which debuted back in March, and is its second hotel in the Pacific Northwest, alongside Palihotel Seattle.