Eugene, OR (March 15, 2021) – Eugene, Oregon’s new art-centric hotel The Gordon has opened its doors.
Located in the expanded 5th Street Public Market – the cultural cornerstone of the community – the 82-room lifestyle property offers a unique chance to connect with artists and makers with perks like local beer/wine/ice cream at check in, ongoing lobby programming, cruiser bikes for exploring, tasting maps for navigating the market’s plethora of winery/brewery options, and an “art bar” for empowering guests’ own creations.
“Opening a new hotel is no small feat, especially in the throes of a pandemic that has rocked the hospitality industry worldwide and having witnessed a 2020 wildfire season unlike any Oregon has seen before,” said Brian Obie, President and CEO at Obie Companies. “Despite the hurdles, we’re thrilled to be able to welcome guests to our creative new property so they can experience all the expanded market has to offer, from new dining experiences to retail.”
The Gordon is the third hotel in Obie Hospitality’s portfolio of unique accommodations, joining Inn at the 5th in Eugene and Inn at 500 Capitol in Boise.
Art + Design
Inspired by Gordon Obie – a Eugene artist/businessman and father of Brian Obie – The Gordon Hotel is centered around art in a new way for travelers to experience first-hand. Its lobby Art Bar offers guests a chance to create their own masterpiece and is stocked with supplies like pencils and watercolors, along with an industrial sink for cleaning up after fits of inspiration. More than 160 pieces of local art from 84 different artists adorn the hotel’s walls, along with 75 additional pieces created by employees of Obie Hospitality (many of which were created during pre-Covid “paint parties” hosted by Brian Obie, an avid artist himself, or in a studio set up for individual painting/creation). In partnership with Eugene-based Harmonic Laboratory, an award-winning art collective, the lobby includes a large-format digital art installation called the Great Wall. The changing content spans two floors and 21 television screens and will frequently serve as a showcase for art students from the nearby University of Oregon. Live music, artists in action/residence, and other artistic pop-up events in the lobby are part of the hotel’s ongoing programming.
Eat + Drink
The property will include two new restaurants by Portland Restaurateur Mark Byrum, who grew up in neighboring Springfield. Opening later in the spring, The Gordon Tavern on the ground floor will serve classic American comfort food with a Pacific Northwest flair, while Carlita’s Rooftop on the hotel’s seventh floor will offer a tasty mix of Mexican small plates infused with locally sourced ingredients, paired with an incredible view. And opening later in 2021, Byrum has plans for a speakeasy-style den with cocktails and small plates accessed via a hidden entrance. Byrum operates seven restaurants and a catering company, but this is his first venture outside of Portland.
5th Street Public Market – a New Experience
The Gordon Hotel is part of the 5th Street Public Market Expansion, just west of the original 5th Street Public Market which has been a fixture in the community for more than 30 years. In addition to the hotel, the recently constructed expansion features the Gordon Lofts with 127 apartments and a three-story Market Building, with just-opened Nike on the ground floor and a co-working office space known as The District Coworking & Flex Office on the top two floors. All three buildings are connected by the Market Alley, a 200-foot-long glass-covered walkway teeming with shops, food, and “Maker’s Row,” where artisans and entrepreneurs can gain exposure while giving visitors fun and interactive pop-up experiences.
While Eugene is the gateway to the acclaimed Southern Willamette Valley wine region, many wineries are introducing tasting rooms downtown. Four tasting rooms are now located within the market, including the new Pfeiffer Winery and Terra Pacem on Maker’s Row. Alesong Brewing, which specializes in barrel-aged, farmhouse-style ales, recently opened a new taproom at the original market along with an always-busy patio. Every Saturday and Sunday this spring, the market turns “open-air” with additional art displays and maker’s pop-ups. The result is an outdoor-focused vibrancy rarely seen in these difficult times, with the promise for even more activity to come.
Miscellany
· The Gordon is pet-friendly and offers complimentary local beer/wine at check-in. Look for sampler-size Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream at the front desk this summer as a third treat option.
· The property features 3,700 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a spacious ballroom, break-out rooms, and an integrated outdoor terrace on the second floor that is committed to meetings and events. A dedicated on-site meeting concierge will service events.
· A fleet of complimentary cruiser bikes will debut later this spring.
· Rates start at $185 per night.
More at https://www.thegordonhotel.com/ and https://www.5stmarket.com/.
