One of the most visible icons and landmarks of downtown Kirkland, the four-story Heathman Hotel, is for sale. The four-star hotel, along with its sister site in Portland, the Portland Heathman, were recently put on the market by owner Healthman Hotel Portland LLC.
The President and Managing Director of Healthman Hotel Portland LLC Andy McDonald said the U.K.-based investment fund that owns the two properties is looking to readjust its portfolio.
“It is not consistent with its strategic planning,” McDonald said. “But each hotel had all-time numbers in August, so they are doing well.”
Eastdil Secured out of New York posted the two hotels and has been tasked to acquire offers for the 91-room Kirkland location and the 150-room location in Portland. Both properties are being offered together or separately.
McDonald said that the company is looking to put together a list of 10 potential buyers.
“We will review the proposals, and as long as they are all consistent, we would like to select a buyer who fits best with our employees and will keep them consistent with how the hotels have been run,” McDonald said.
With the potential change in ownership the question of staffing changes is a big one for employees. But McDonald said he will do everything in his power to make sure changes are kept at a minimum.
The Kirkland location was built in 2007 and under went a remodel in 2012 following a catastrophic waterline malfunction that caused significant damage to the hotel’s Trellis restaurant and the hotel’s Penterra Spa, which has since been removed.
“We were closed for 62 days but we took the opportunity to make some changes to improve the hotel,” McDonald said.
The Heathman’s dedication to its employees showed during the shutdown, as it retained almost all of its staff during the two-month layoff.
It replaced the spa with a private dinning and meeting room with adjoining reception area that has floor-to-ceiling windows. In addition to the new private dining room, the hotel also added two meeting rooms downstairs, and a new expanded fitness center with all new equipment. The hotel’s guest rooms were completely refurbished during the shutdown as well, and all new carpets were installed in the hallways.
The hotel had a valuation of $8.5 million by the city when it was built in 2007.
The Kirkland site was ranked No. 88 in the world in 2012 and won a AAA Four Diamond Award that same year.
McDonald declined to comment on either the hotel’s valuation or what he expects as far as bidding process or price.
The Heathman in Portland, built in 1927, has an estimated value of $21.5 million according to the Portland Business Journal.