the Nines

The latest addition to the elite Luxury Collection of Starwood Hotels & Resorts claims the top nine floors of the historic Meier & Frank Building in Portland, Oregon. When the Nines opened in October 2008, guests found the upper levels of the building transformed from a solid box to a hollow square, resulting in a seven-story atrium affording views and natural light for all 331 accommodations. The $137-million renovation aimed for LEED silver certification in such efforts as plumbing that saves more than 500,000 gallons of water a year and energy drawn from wind power.

Despite such down-to-earth basics, all rooms and suites feature lofty appointments and original art by local artists, joined by world-class paintings, sculptures, and installations in the public areas and meeting venues. Groups gather in 13,500 square feet of flexible event space, including two generous foyers, a ballroom, and two boardrooms. Service reflects the ultimate standard upheld by all members of the Luxury Collection.

The hotel caps nine floors of newly renovated Macy’s shopping, surrounded by trendy boutiques, cutting-edge restaurants, museums, and public gardens in the heart of town. While day trips tempt guests out to sample the pleasures of Oregon’s countryside, the hotel invites them to stay home and savor the region’s best from its catering services, bar food at The Library, hearty fare at the Urban Farmer, and rooftop dining experience at Departure. There are no reviews posted at this time.

You are Cordially Invited to Live Life to the Nines.

Taste of Luxury

Lavish in Love

There are no hot dates at this time. Posted Jul 9, 2009 by Elite News Team
Subscribe - RSS Feed April X 2009 (Portland, OR) - the Nines Hotel in Portland, Oregon has been selected as one of the best new hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. The upscale and widely read travel magazine included the Starwood Luxury Collection hotel as part of its 13th annual "Hot List." "The World's Top New 140 Hotels" for 2009 included only those new properties that the magazine's editors considered "keepers" in design, location, service and value.

"The rooms are stunningly chic, with nod to the building's fashionable history," wrote Traveler's editors. "The service is no less impressive, from the friendly doormen to the prompt room service staff." The review also honored the hotel's fantastic location off Pioneer Square, saying "if you can tear yourself away from your room's luxe embrace, Portland's best restaurants, most interesting arts venues and top shopping are a pedestrian-friendly stroll away."

Perched on the top nine floors of the Meier & Frank Building in central Portland, the Nines opened in October to immediate acclaim. The hotel pays homage to the fashionable history of the building with original, local artwork throughout and a modern steakhouse, Urban Farmer, off the lobby. The hotel anticipates LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for eco-conscious considerations.

"We are elated to be included on the most prestigious listing in upscale travel," said Fred Kleisner, General Manager of the Nines. "Condé Nast Traveler is widely regarded for its quality and distinction. To be chosen by the magazine as one of the best new hotels in the world speaks volumes for the dedication of all of our colleagues and the management of Sage Hospitality who oversaw the renovation and restoration of this historic building."

Room rates start at $199 a night. For more information about green meetings and events or to make reservations for the Nines in Portland, please phone 503.222.9996 or visit http://www.thenines.com Posted Jul 9, 2009 by Elite News Team
Subscribe - RSS Feed Green is the new color of luxury hospitality, and the Nines in Portland, Oregon is laying it on thick. Owned by Sage Hospitality, the 331-room property will open in October, 2008 in the historic Meier & Frank department store building in Downtown Portland. Sage has worked closely with the Portland Development Commission to implement many environmental and conservation policies big and small at the hotel, including the purchase of 100 percent of the hotel's electricity through renewable energy sources and use of eco-conscious "Green Seal" certified housekeeping products. The hotel is anticipating LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was developed by the USGBC as a recognized rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. The Nines will be the third existing hotel building in the world to receive the U.S. Green Building Council's prestigious Silver rating (and the 11th hotel worldwide to have achieved any level of LEED certification at all).

The Nines anticipates earning credit toward Silver Certification thanks to several considerations. For instance:

* Ninety percent of the 24 million pounds of material removed during the building's renovation was recycled and diverted from landfills.
* The Nines will draw from 100% renewable energy - including wind-power and carbon offsets.
* During construction and installation of final finishes, the hotel used only low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints and carpets in order to secure optimum air quality.
* Guest bathrooms have dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets for an anticipated savings of approximately 500,000 gallons of water each year.
* The hotel's setting in the Meier & Frank building counts toward certification, earning credit for reuse and for maintaining at least 75% of the building's shell.
* Limited outdoor lighting will reduce light pollution in the surrounding area.
* In an effort to encourage guests and employees to choose alternative transportation, bike storage and easy access to public transportation will be available.
* And if all that weren't enough, the Nines is 100% smoke-free.

Portland is a leading market for LEED projects, with certification viewed favorably by the city's progressive citizenry and required by the local Development Commission. For more details, visit www.thenines.com Posted Jul 9, 2009 by Elite News Team
Subscribe - RSS Feed A Portland, Oregon native and highly recognized arts manager, Paige Powell is the Art Consultant for the Nines hotel. With over 25 years of diversified and international experience in the art world, Paige brings a depth of knowledge of Pacific Northwest artists and a passion for integration of the contemporary with the classics to her work at the hotel.

As Art Consultant on the Nines, Paige has commissioned Portland artists to create bold sculptures, paintings and installations to grace the atrium, restaurants and lobby of the Nines. Paige has also worked with top local artists to create an exhibit of regularly rotating original artwork on the street level windows to welcome guests and pedestrians passing by.

Currently Paige is the owner of Paige Powell Productions, LLC, which provides a full range of arts management services. She has also served as the West Coast Contributing Editor for PAPER Magazine since 1997.

Paige's rise into the inner circle of the art world began in New York by serving as Associate Publisher, photographer and interviewer for Andy Warhol's Interview Magazine from 1981-1994. During this time, she worked closely with Andy Warhol on commissioned art projects and ran the magazine's advertising, marketing, media and public relations departments.

Paige soon earned a reputation for her strengths in event management, exhibitions, celebrity dinners, media events and special gatherings for VIP intimates. As founder of the famed celebrity/chef pairings, "Dinner in the Kitchen" at the Plaza Hotel (New York City), Paige launched a new trend in the restaurant dining experience. When Andy Warhol died, Paige was chosen to oversee planning, details and organization of the beloved artist's memorial event for over 2,000 people at St. Patrick's Cathedral as well as a luncheon for 300 artists, arts patrons and celebrities.

From 1998-2002 Paige acted as Executive Director of the Pearl Arts Foundation and commissioned internationally known artists for site specific and permanent works in Portland. Paige oversaw all media, public relations and fund raising as well as project management for the installation of Kenny Scharf's "Tikitotemoniki" totems and William Wegman's "Dog Water Bowl" - both projects were named among the top 15 public artworks in North America by Art in America.

Paige serves as Board Member of the Martha Graham Dance Company, and Board Member of the Delhi, India Sangay Gandhi Animal Center working directly with India's Minister of Environment, Maneka Gandhi.

A poet by heart and training, Paige is a graduate of the University of Oregon (B.A. English), and recipient of both the Julia Burgess and Alicia Wood awards for poetry. She also attended college at the Universidad de las Americas in Mexico City and the Aegean School of Fine Arts in Paros, Greece. Paige currently lives in Portland, Oregon. Posted Jul 9, 2009 by Elite News Team
Subscribe - RSS Feed August 13, 2008 (Portland, Ore.) - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. proudly announces the opening of the Nines, A Luxury Collection Hotel, unveiling a new level of elegance and eco-luxury to the Pacific Northwest this fall. A vital part of the exciting revitalization of downtown Portland, the Nines will feature the exceptional level of service for which The Luxury Collection brand is renowned, a perfect location and indigenous personal offerings, including 331 luxurious guest rooms and suites, an extensive art collection featuring rotating installations and artwork by local artists, world-class cuisine at Urban Farmer, the property's signature restaurant, and an anticipated LEED Silver Certification.

Occupying the top nine floors of the historic Meier & Frank Building, the Nines welcomes hotel guests and local revelers with a soaring seven-story atrium providing natural light and views for all accommodations. The Library at the Nines offers an inviting respite, with a custom pool table and a floor-to-ceiling library with an impressive selection of books provided by Powell's Books in Portland, the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world.

An ideal choice for business travelers, the Nines features an on-site business center, an exclusive Club Floor and lounge, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The hotel also features 14,000 square feet of green conferencing and event space, including a 7,200 square-foot ballroom, all outfitted with the latest audio-visual and communications technologies.

Developed by the successful Denver-based Sage Restaurant Group, the Nines will introduce a new restaurant to Portland's dynamic dining scene. Urban Farmer, set within the atrium of the hotel's lobby level, is a modern steakhouse with an emphasis on simple, straightforward preparations of meats, poultry, seafood and produce garnered from the efforts of local ranchers, farmers and fishermen.

Eco-consciousness has been a key element to the development of the Nines, which anticipates LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. To achieve this prestigious designation, conservation-focused plumbing, including low-flow faucets, have been put in place in order to save 400,000 gallons of water each year. All products used in daily housekeeping are "Green Sealed," and the hotel retains 50 percent of its energy from renewable sources including wind power and carbon offsets. Low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints and carpets were used during the renovation to secure optimum air quality. Throughout the building process, 24 million pounds of material was removed and 90 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills for reuse or recycling.

In support of the local art community, the Nines has partnered with Art Consultant Paige Powell, long time friend and confidante of Andy Warhol, who has commissioned Portland artists to create bold sculptures, paintings and installations that will be featured in the atrium, signature restaurants and lobby of the hotel. The Nines will also feature exhibits of regularly rotating original artwork on the street level windows to welcome guests and local loyalists.

Each guestroom will feature striking original artworks created by way of a partnership between the Nines and the Pacific Northwest College of Art. As part of its commitment to Portland's thriving artistic community, the hotel tapped a team of seven faculty and master printers, along with student assistants, to create abstract monotype and silkscreen images of varying sizes, textures and elements. Further supporting this commitment, the Nines will fund an annual scholarship at PNCA of $10,000 for the next five years.

For more information or to make reservations for the Nines in Portland, please phone 503.222.9996 or visit www.thenines.com. Posted Jul 9, 2009 by Elite News Team
Subscribe - RSS Feed Portland, OR (February 9, 2009) - In Sage Restaurant Group's signature style, Urban Farmer aims to contribute to Portland's vitality and culture. It is located in the new luxury hotel, the Nines, in the historic Meier & Frank building. The handsome space embraces travelers and locals alike with a chic and comfortable ambiance inspired by a farmhouse. Restaurateur Peter Karpinski, who leads Sage Restaurant Group, promises Urban Farmer will be "a polished, feel-good restaurant that really allows guests to connect with northwest American flavors as they enjoy an intelligent new spin on the modern steakhouse."

Urban Farmer further refines the modern steakhouse; the forward-thinking and highly imaginative restaurant prizes American steakhouse fare through the Northwest's local, organic and sustainable flavors. From grass-fed Oregon beef to imaginative and comforting sides to house-made Moonshine whiskey, the restaurant's menu immerses guests in the region's rich culinary landscape.

The Menu: Northwestern Ranches, Oregon's Farms, Pacific Ocean Catches
Urban Farmer's menu honors national and local culinary traditions. Riffing on classic steakhouse fare and sourcing from the Northwest's finest eco-friendly producers, Urban Farmer yields recipes with optimum flavor and creativity.

An extensive selection of First Courses sets the tone for a meal that encourages guests to share, savor and dig in. Produce from locally renowned farms like Wooden Bridge and Sudan Farms are transformed into the Wedge Salad with Smoked Blue Cheese, Avocado and Fried Duck Egg and the Local Greens with Shaved Vegetables, Mustard and Malt Vinaigrette. Pacific Ocean inspired starters include Pacific Oysters and Urban Farmer Shrimp Cocktail. Heartier First Courses include Beef Tartare with Mushrooms, Mustard, and Grilled Country Bread and Lamb Sweet Breads and Chorizo Sausage with chili oil.

Guests find the highest qualities of beef in an abundance of choices, including Grass-Fed Filet Mignon, Grain-Finished Hanger Steak and Corn-fed Flat Iron. The menu emphasizes the best sustainable and organic ranches in Oregon, Washington and California, but also gives a nod to renowned purveyors across the country like Niman Ranch and Strube Ranch. The curious appetite is sated with individual beef tasting menus, the option to order shared beef entrees "for the table," and 21- and 42-day dry-aged Kansas City Steaks. Honoring Portland's renowned lamb growers are recipes like Cattail Creek Lamb Shank with sassafras and coriander and Dungeness Crab Pot Pie with Creative Growers Heirloom Carrots, Lamb Bacon, and Sherry Gravy. Non-meat options include Pacific Halibut with figs, lemon and fennel and Kookakoolan Farms Chicken with chanterelles and sherry jus. Taking modern steakhouse sides to new levels of wittiness and sophistication are dishes like Roasted Squash with candied almonds and Szechuan peppercorns; Heirloom Baked Beans with Bourbon; Roasted Porcinis with Bone Marrow and Tater Tots with red wine and foie gras.

Urban Farmer's desserts offer playful renditions of classic American comfort desserts. There is the Apple Crisp with Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream and the Vanilla Souffle with Grapefruit Sorbet, Candied Ginger and Vanilla Sauce. The Frozen Pies showcase homemade ice creams and serve as a fun twist on sundaes. Creations are served in a mason jar and include Lemon Meringue Pie with Lemon Sorbet, Toasted Meringue and Shortbread and Mud Pie with Rocky Road Ice Cream, Chocolate Cookies, and Fudge Sauce. The Carrot Cake makes an artistic statement; it is served with Crisp Cream Cheese, Pineapple Sherbet and a shooter of Homemade Carrot Soda on the side.

The Drink: Homemade Moonshine, Portland Brews and Oregon Varietals
Oregon's culinary culture does not stop at ranches and farms and the state's renowned wineries, breweries and distilleries can be enjoyed to the fullest at Urban Farmer. In fact, the restaurant was so enthralled by its neighboring distilleries that it even created its very own Moonshine Whiskey using grains from a local brewery and collaborating with downtown Portland's House Spirits Distillery. While four barrels of whiskey will age for three to five years at Urban Farmer itself, the Moonshiner cocktail lets guests enjoy Moonshine right off the still with soda and lime in a mason jar. Other cocktails refine American classics with high-quality liquors from renowned Portland distilleries. The Sazerac cocktail serves Trillium Absinthe from the city's Integrity Spirits with Fee Brothers' Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters, Sazerac and Orange. Draft beers showcase Portland's microbrewery offerings like Roots Red from Roots Organic Brewery, Widmer Hefeweisen from the Widmer Brothers Brewing Company, and Deschutes' Mirror Pond Ale.

Urban Farmer's 320-bottle wine list brings into focus the varietals of Oregon, Washington and California. The menu boasts over three-dozen world-class wines from Willamette Valley, Oregon and an interesting selection of Grenaches, Syrahs, and Dolcettos from the up-and-coming Abacela Vineyards in Umpqua Valley, Oregon. The "Spotlight on Sustainability" program will showcase different local, organic wineries like Brick House Vineyards, which has been certified organic since 1990. Guests with an appreciation for innovative winemaking will be drawn to Washington's Long Shadow Wineries' Collection. The vineyard gathered the world's most highly acclaimed winemakers together in 2003 to craft from the Northwest's fabled grapes.

The Design: Where 1908 Meets 2008
Urban Farmer plays an integral role in the exciting revitalization of downtown Portland. It is located in the historic Meier & Frank building, a landmark symbol of style and fashion since 1908. The building has been lovingly restored by Sage Hospitality, a national leader in "historic adaptive reuse," to bring architectural treasures to life. Within the building, the Nines will operate as a Starwood Luxury Hotel Collection and anticipates LEED Silver certification. Urban Farmer is nestled within the hotel's soaring, seven-story atrium and offers diverse landscapes within its space, including the Bar, the Pavilion, the main dining room or "Deck," and the semi-private dining room or "Pantry."

Designer David Ashen created a country chic ambiance using an array of organic, reclaimed and modern materials. The Bar features a striking twenty-foot communal table made from an old-growth Douglas Fir. The spacious "Deck" captures the light-hearted feel of outdoor dining and is uniquely accented by a field of wheat grass in the center of the room. A video installation by Portland's beloved experimental artist, Matt McCormick, rolls stunning images of the city's rural and urban landscapes. The "Pantry" offers an intimate setting. Its walls are made of steel and reclaimed timber and are decorated by shelves stacked with vibrant pickled fruits and vegetables. The Library, adjacent to Urban Farmer in the lobby of the, is the ideal venue for guests of the restaurant to host private parties, play a game of pool, or enjoy a quiet drink. The handsome room features wall-to-wall, reclaimed wooden shelves with 3,000 new books and Chesterfield leather sofas.

Urban Farmer joins Sage Restaurant Group's growing list of innovative nationwide restaurants that pay as much attention to great food and service as they do to culture, architecture and style. The restaurant is the group's first foray into Portland, Oregon, but will soon be joined by two exciting new Sage concepts in 2009.
Urban Farmer serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is located in the Nines Hotel at 525 SW Morrison Street, 8th floor (Lobby level), Portland, OR 97204; Tel 503.222.4900; www.urbanfarmerrestaurant.com. Posted Apr 9, 2009 by Elite News Team
Subscribe - RSS Feed The New York Times
By HILARY HOWARD
Published: April 5, 2009

Meier & Frank Building in downtown Portland housed a department store for most of the 20th century. Now home to the fanciful Nines Hotel on its top nine floors, the building has stayed true to its roots and currently features a Macys on the first to fifth floors " there is a separate entrance for hotel guests. The Nines has clearly placed an emphasis on art (it has a 419-piece collection by artists with local ties), design (a $115 million renovation included the construction of a seven-story light-filled atrium, where guests can relax in sheer-draped glass gazebos) and the environment (the hotel is pursuing LEED Silver certification).

THE LOCATION
The hotel is across from Pioneer Courthouse Square, where some 300 public events are held each year. It is also in walking distance of the Pearl District, known for chic boutiques and restaurants, and is just a few blocks from attractions like the Portland Art Museum and Powells Bookstore. The MAX Light Rail, which provides easy access to destinations a little farther out like the Oregon Zoo and Nikes headquarters, stops in front of the hotel.

THE ROOM
Our room was spacious and whimsical, featuring a Tiffany blue-velvet rcamier, a Louis XVI-type armchair upholstered in matching linen and chenille and a hanging crystal pendant light in a sort of corner lounging area. We had a view of the Morrison Bridge and the Cascade Range. Bedside lamps made of mercury glass had modern feminine shapes and framed both sides of our comfortable king-size bed. The color scheme was present in the carpeting, which had putty, Tiffany-blue, beige and dark-brown stripes.

THE BATHROOM
Mini versions of the crystal light pendant hung on either side of a corner-mounted vanity and mirror. Underneath the sink was a rolling, Tiffany-blue ottoman. A dual-flush toilet was proof of the hotels green sensibilities. Fixtures were by Decolav, Symmons, Caroma and Bemis. The marble floor flowed into the shower area, slightly descending around the shower head for drainage. I thought the entire floor would flood post-shower, but the water stayed in its place.

THE AMENITIES
Wi-Fi throughout. The fitness center, which offered bottled water, fruit, headphones, towels and magazines at no extra charge, was the largest Ive seen, and featured Life Fitness exercise equipment. Around the corner from the sunny and large lobby was a leather-filled library, intimate and dark, which, through an agreement with Powells, offers more than 3,000 books on loan, including Picasso: In His Words and Bystander: A History of Street Photography. Some of the art scattered throughout the hotel was striking, like Melody Owens grand stairwell chandelier, which extends 30 vertical feet.

ROOM SERVICE
Prompt and friendly; we placed our breakfast order the previous night with the concierge. The cottage cheese pancakes were rich and delicious and came with a pot of Stumptown coffee, Portlands best-known brew, which rapidly " and unfortunately " grew tepid.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Fashionable and comfortable, the Nines provides a chic haven to guests who might need a breather from Portlands grittier scene. Rates for a standard double room start at $199. Posted Nov 4, 2008 by LauraV
Subscribe - RSS Feed October XX, 2008 (Portland, OR) - The art of hospitality meets local creativity at the Nines in Portland, Oregon. The chic new hotel opening this fall, located downtown in the historic Meier & Frank building, will celebrate the talent that has made Portland the creative capital of the Northwest with a bold collection of commissioned works exclusively by artists with local ties. Assembled by Sage Hospitality, which owns and operates the Nines, and Paige Powell, a former Warhol confidante, the extraordinary collection will be displayed throughout the hotel, from dramatic 30-foot glass sculptures to abstract monotype and silkscreen images in each of the 331 guest rooms. Put it all together, and the Nines will be the hottest art exhibit in town.

The hotel's concentration on original works commissioned from local artists is nothing short of exceptional. Renowned Art Consultant Paige Powell worked closely with Portland's blossoming artistic community to assemble the 419-piece collection, with works of many mediums - including sculptures, paintings and custom installations - to grace the atrium, restaurant, Library and lobby. A Portland native herself, Powell will ensure the artists receive full recognition by placing standard museum identification by each piece and commissioning a full catalog and guide to the collection so that guests may fully appreciate their surroundings. In addition to the permanent art, there will also be a regular rotating exhibit near the hotel's entrance.

Each guest room at the Nines features striking original artworks created from a partnership between the hotel and Pacific Northwest College of Art. As part of its commitment to Portland's thriving artistic community, the hotel tapped a team of 11 faculty and master printers, along with student assistants, to create abstract monotype and silkscreen images of varying sizes, textures and elements. The monotypes utilize materials such as crumpled paper to create textured shapes, while the silkscreen prints build imagery through a series of circles and rectangles, creating optical art. All are done in colors that complement the hotel's dcor.

Some of the dynamic and diverse works that will be on permanent display include Melody Owen's grand stairwell chandelier called Bird Song, which uses glass, LEDs and steel to create a 30-foot hanging structure illustrating the audio waves of bird songs from the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, video artist Matt McCormick is creating Satellite, an abstract work of images from around Portland to be displayed on LCD panels in the hotel's restaurant, Urban Farmer. The piece will change very subtly and slowly over the course of the day, for entrances as intriguing as exits. The Library, with floor to ceiling bookshelves, will feature local artwork including pieces by filmmaker Gus Van Sant, cartoonist John Callahan, painter Chris Johanson and emerging artist Nell Warren.

To underscore the hotel's ongoing commitment to the community, the Nines is funding an annual scholarship at Pacific Northwest College of Art of $10,000 for five years. Located in the heart of Portland's Pearl district, PNCA is a leader in innovative educational programming that connects students of a global perspective in the visual arts. Posted Nov 4, 2008 by LauraV
Subscribe - RSS Feed October 2, 2008 (Portland, Ore.) - Sage Hospitality has announced the appointment of Frederick Kleisner II as General Manager of the Nines, a Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel in Portland, Oregon. A fifth-generation hotelier with 17 years experience at the upper end of the industry, Kleisner will steward the new $137 million property in the landmark Meier & Frank Building, which is opening this month.

"The Nines will benefit from Fred's strong management background at a number of distinctive hotel properties across the US," said Walter Isenberg, President and CEO of Sage Hospitality, the Denver-based company that developed and is managing the hotel. "We are delighted to welcome Fred to our management team. He is someone with a passion for hospitality, the ability to build outstanding hotel teams, and a deep commitment to being a part of the local community."

Born into a hotel family, Kleisner brings a lifetime of knowledge and experience to the Nines. His formative years were spent in hospitality in some of the country's most well traveled destinations from New York City to Hawaii. He has been trained in all aspects of hotel operations, enabling him to effectively identify traveler needs, understand market trends, and formulate innovate changes to maintain and grow market share.

Kleisner comes to the Nines from New York City, where he oversaw the opening of The Empire Hotel, a swanky, 413-room property on West 63rd Street. Previously, he spent six years with Wyndham International, including management of The Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa in Telluride, Colorado, The Tremont Boston Hotel, and The El San Juan Hotel and Casino, a Wyndham "trophy location" boasting 382 guest rooms and luxury suites, 15 food and beverage outlets and 10 retail outlets. Each property experienced revenue and profitability growth under Kleisner's leadership, while The El San Juan and The Peaks also achieved and maintained coveted AAA 4 Diamond status.

Blessed with an inborn passion for hospitality, Kleisner holds a Bachelor's of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He fills his downtime with a range of interests, including collecting and reading first-edition books, biking, hiking, surfing and travel. He is also an accomplished yogi and amateur photographer. Posted Nov 4, 2008 by LauraV
Subscribe - RSS Feed Top Nine Floors of Historic Meier & Frank Building sets stylish scene for Starwood Luxury Collection property aiming for LEED Silver Certification

September 17, 2008 (Portland, Ore.) - Sage Hospitality, a national leader in hospitality development and management, has announced that the famed Meier & Frank building in the heart of downtown Portland, will reopen this fall as the Nines, a Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel. Once the store where Portland residents shopped when they needed to dress "to the nines," the hotel ushers in a new level of style and eco-luxury on the top nine floors of this historic building on Pioneer Square.

"The building has been completely recreated, blending the legacy of its architectural heritage with a world-class hotel," said Walter Isenberg, president and CEO of Sage Hospitality, the Denver-based company that developed this benchmark preservation project and is managing the hotel. "The amenities and guest services will set the stage for distinctive nostalgic modern luxury experience to Portland, and the $115 million renovation also represents a significant development milestone for downtown Portland."

The Nines is an architectural gem that will pay homage to the fashion and elegance of the former Meier & Frank department store, a Portland landmark since 1908. Dressed up with original Portland art throughout, an imaginative modern steakhouse, on track for LEED Silver Certification and much more, the Nines will be just the place to fall in love with Portland.

Providing an urbane getaway

The Nines occupies the top nine floors above a five-story Macy's department store. Hotel guests enter at street level and travel up a bank of glass-paneled elevators to the eighth floor. Upon arrival in the hotel lobby, they enter a soaring seven-story atrium with a glass skylight that provides natural light throughout the interior and fascinating atrium views for interior guest rooms. Thirteen suites are included among the 331 rooms, with the Nines and the Meier & Frank suites certain to be counted among Portland's finest. The Library at the Nines offers an inviting respite, with a custom pool table and floor-to-ceiling books provided by Powell's Books, the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world.

Located in the heart of Portland, the Nines is a smart choice for business travelers, with a Club Floor with club lounge and state-of-the-art fitness center as well as an on-site business center. The meetings and conference crowd will also be intrigued by 14,000 square feet of eco-friendly conferencing and event space, including a 7,200 square-foot ballroom, all of it outfitted with superb audio-visual and communications technologies. The Nines Ballroom can also be divided into three smaller rooms, named Design, Fashion and Culture in tribute to the building's storied past.

"The Nines blends the elegance and richness of this magnificent building with the best of a modern luxury hotel," said Fred Kleisner, the hotel's General Manager. "The Meier & Frank building is once again an anchor for downtown. Our guests will enjoy a casual sophistication here at the Nines where we celebrate Portland art, exciting design, luxurious amenities--all in the epicenter of our city."
Preserving the past, with a modern flair

The renovation of the Nines focused on preserving the classic elegance of the legendary Meier & Frank building while also transforming it into a hotel that will meet the expectations of today's most sophisticated travelers.
"As part of the building's restoration, Sage Hospitality was sensitive to the historic preservation of the building's white terra cotta faade and interior spaces," Ken Geist, Executive Vice President for Development at Sage Hospitality. "Throughout the project, significant historic and architectural elements were preserved, refurbished and incorporated in the renovation design, such as historic windows, terra cotta mansard roof with porthole windows and the Georgian Room."

Staying true to Portland's green ethos

Eco-consciousness is a key to the Nines, which anticipates LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. To achieve this prestigious designation, conservation-focused plumbing, including low-flow faucets and dual flush toilets, have been put in place in order to save upwards of 500,000 gallons of water each year. All products used in daily housekeeping are "Green Seal" certified, and the hotel gets 100% of its energy from renewable sources including wind power and carbon offsets. Low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints and carpets were used during the renovation to secure optimum air quality. In the building process, 24 million pounds of material was removed and 90% of construction waste was diverted from landfills for reuse or recycling.
Supporting local artists and their students

Art Consultant Paige Powell, long time friend and confidante of Andy Warhol, has partnered with the Sage Hospitality team to commission Portland artists to create bold sculptures, paintings and installations to grace the atrium, restaurants and lobby of the Nines. Paige has also worked with top local artists to create an exhibit of regularly rotating original artwork on the street level windows to welcome guests and pedestrians passing by. The innovative collection lends a decidedly contemporary twist to the ambiance of the hotel.

Additionally, each guestroom features striking original artworks created from a partnership between the Nines and the Pacific Northwest College of Art. As part of its commitment to Portland's thriving artistic community, the hotel tapped a team of seven faculty and master printers, along with student assistants, to create abstract monotype and silkscreen images of varying sizes, textures and elements. Furthermore, the Nines will fund an annual scholarship at PNCA of $10,000 for five years.

Showcasing the best of the Pacific Northwest's culinary scene

Developed by the successful Denver-based Sage Restaurant Group, the Nines will introduce a new restaurant to Portland's popular dining scene. Urban Farmer, set within the atrium of the hotel's lobby level, is a modern steakhouse with an emphasis on simple, straightforward preparations of meats, poultry, seafood and produce garnered from the efforts of local ranchers, farmers and fishermen.

The project architect for the Nines was SERA Architects. Cliff Tuttle of ForrestPerkins was the interior designer. Paige Powell served as the Nine's art consultant. Hoffman Construction was the general contractor for the renovation Posted Nov 4, 2008 by LauraV
Subscribe - RSS Feed Green is the new color of luxury hospitality, and the Nines in Portland, Oregon is laying it on thick. Owned by Sage Hospitality, the 331-room property will open in October, 2008 in the historic Meier & Frank department store building in Downtown Portland. Sage has worked closely with the Portland Development Commission to implement many environmental and conservation policies big and small at the hotel, including the purchase of 100 percent of the hotel's electricity through renewable energy sources and use of eco-conscious "Green Seal" certified housekeeping products. The hotel is anticipating LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was developed by the USGBC as a recognized rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. The Nines will be the third existing hotel building in the world to receive the U.S. Green Building Council's prestigious Silver rating (and the 11th hotel worldwide to have achieved any level of LEED certification at all).

The Nines anticipates earning credit toward Silver Certification thanks to several considerations. For instance:

Ninety percent of the 24 million pounds of material removed during the building's renovation was recycled and diverted from landfills.

The Nines will draw from 100% renewable energy - including wind-power and carbon offsets.

During construction and installation of final finishes, the hotel used only low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints and carpets in order to secure optimum air quality.

Guest bathrooms have dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets for an anticipated savings of approximately 500,000 gallons of water each year.

The hotel's setting in the Meier & Frank building counts toward certification, earning credit for reuse and for maintaining at least 75% of the building's shell.

Limited outdoor lighting will reduce light pollution in the surrounding area.

In an effort to encourage guests and employees to choose alternative transportation, bike storage and easy access to public transportation will be available.

And if all that weren't enough, the Nines is 100% smoke-free.

Portland is a leading market for LEED projects, with certification viewed favorably by the city's progressive citizenry and required by the local Development Commission. For more details, visit [url]www.thenines.com[/url]