Is there already a SoWhat hotel?
A reader reports:
I was in the SoWhat district a few weeks ago, passing by the Ardea. A woman came running out a called to a couple of people asking if they were checking out today, and reminding them that checkout was at 11 a.m. Seems a hotel operation may be going on there. Is it licensed? Does it pay taxes and fees?
Is the reader's observation true? We suspect it's as true as the story that one of the SoWhat towers is leaning.
| Posted at 2:42 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (13)
VRBO?
http://www.vrbo.com/324634
Don't know about licensing/fees/taxes in these cases...
Posted by dan | November 16, 2012 3:10 PM
I was told that some of the South Water Front buildings were converted to commercial space when they did not sell due to the housing decline. If that's the case, I don't see why someone couldn't legally operate a hotel out of there.
But of course, I'm sure the government is responsible somehow.
Posted by Ted | November 16, 2012 3:57 PM
As long as they're paying their fees and taxes, I would have no problem with it.
Posted by Jack Bog | November 16, 2012 4:14 PM
At the condo where I live (in Vancouver), you are allowed in the by-laws to do similar to this as long as the minimum rental period is 60 days. If their CC&R's and bylaws allow 30, no reason why an individual owner cant, its more up to the individual HOA...
At my home in CA (yeah, i got two homes cuz I own a business up here and need to be here duing the week), you are specifically not allowed by the HOA to rent for less than a year.
(but, boy, i would NOT want my phone number posted in a listing like that unless it was a tracfone or something like that)
... and a good weekend to all... It's Mike
Posted by It's Mike | November 16, 2012 4:41 PM
If it's on the level, no problem. Chance of it being on the level?
Posted by JO | November 16, 2012 5:04 PM
When I lived in the Ardea a few years ago there were a few guest suites (2, I think?) that were rented out to friends and family of residents. I think most of the towers down here do that for their residents.
Posted by Erin | November 16, 2012 5:52 PM
Could they be talking about the Marriott "Resident Inn on Riverplace" (adjacent SW Moody ave)? It's pretty much right under the Marquam bridgehead. Similar construction/vintage as to what you find 4 blocks south, and when I was there it certainly felt like it was part of the South Waterfront development. ?
Btw, nice hotel.
Posted by AnRyBr | November 16, 2012 6:47 PM
No, that's not the Ardea. I think Erin's on to it. So, is that a "hotel"? Do they pay the obscene Portland lodging tax, for example?
Posted by Jack Bog | November 16, 2012 7:47 PM
The Marriott Resident Inn is in the SoWhat URA in the North District, plus the RiverPlace Hotel. Then there's the Avalon Hotel on the south end. But PDC wants to pick the winners again by having taxpayers subsidize a hotel on PDC land just south of The Strand near the RiverPlace Hotel.
Unfair competition, but that's Portland.
Posted by Lee | November 16, 2012 8:44 PM
What is the status on that South Waterfront immigration detention facility?
Posted by clinamen | November 16, 2012 9:19 PM
"When you write your review of my VRBO, make sure to say you stayed for a whole month!"
Posted by reader | November 17, 2012 5:58 AM
Where can I find occupancy stats for SoWhat?
Posted by langston | November 17, 2012 7:37 AM
Looking at the code, it sure seems like these rentals qualify as hotels.
http://web.multco.us/sites/default/files/county-attorney/documents/ch11.pdf
http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=28805
I know the Ardea and Meriwether have these rooms and I assume that the John Ross and the Atwater do as well. It's certainly possible that these buildings are paying the taxes; however, in my experience in renting the guest units in the Ardea and Meriwether buildings, it is a very low flat rate with no obvious added tax (there are no receipts given - you just pay with a check and that's it). The rates are far below those of hotels in the area.
Posted by Erin | November 17, 2012 10:32 PM