NEW YORK, NEW YORK (June 2025) — Saguez & Dash is proud to announce the completion of the Valley River Inn restoration and renovation. This Eugene, Oregon local treasure, and home to endless community celebrations and memorable events, sustained an unexpected fire, which necessitated the immediate renovation, and provided an opportunity to refresh the design, according to David Ashen, CEO of Saguez & Dash
“It was in the property’s interest to reopen to their guests again as quickly as possible, while also providing an opportunity to refresh the design / layout while thoughtfully maintaining the original charm of the hotel. dash design was able to expedite the design and documentation process, to help our client’s goals and schedule, reopening within a year of kicking off the project,” added Ashen.
Much like the quirky, pioneering spirit of Eugene itself, Valley River Inn goes against the grain. It is deeply rooted in its personal connection to the logging industry by showcasing the original timber beams that envelops the guest. Quintessential 1970’s architecture blends seamlessly with a modern lodge style that harkens back to its heyday when it first opened its doors.
Valley River Inn has long been a mainstay of Eugene, Oregon, as both a beloved gathering place for the community and an artful respite for travelers and famous musicians alike. It’s idyllically nestled right along the flowing Willamette River and uniquely juxtaposed between the city proper and the vista of lush soaring trees, aptly nicknamed the ‘Emerald City.’
Valley River Inn will remain an iconic piece of Eugene’s history, paying homage to its iconic elements and its foraging and progressive future.
The entry/reception was reimagined: by knocking down the existing walls that previously enclosed reception, it allowed the reception desk to slide forward toward the entry door and create a more welcoming arrival experience for the guests while also capturing underutilized space a beyond for an informal coffee/retail shop and plaid retro seating, at the north end of reception.
After check-in, the space flows into a 2-height ceiling anchored by a new communal table and expansive library shelving, which is filled with local books and décor, and styled in such a way that nods to Pendelton’s iconic Nation Parks striped blanket, then leads towards the bold two-story fireplace in the Lounge, newly reclad with glazed brick in varying neutral colors and layered with large format art pieces.
The connection to the 1970s architecture was reinforced in the sunken Lounge by anchoring a large denim-clad sofa on (3) sides, which juxtaposed the intentionally over-scaled custom modern-lodge style inset area rug, loosely inspired by Pendelton fabrics. The layout has many seating groups, and transitions with ease from day to night, offering area to plug in and work during the day to a sexy fireside lounge perfect for cocktails and games in the evening.
Valley River Inn also boasts numerous Event Spaces, each uniquely designed. The Willamette Pre-function, with its own bar, is located off the Lobby, with a new wood-look patterned porcelain flooring and warm, moody painted ceiling creates an intentionally rich and intimate experience, that later opens onto the expansive Willamette Ballroom. The design and palette of the Ballroom is timeless and universal yet provides a true sense of place: the organic custom carpet was inspired by the flow and ripples in the Willamette River (which the property back up to), tiered dark bronze metal and glass chandeliers, and oversized plaid accent walls made of wood trim, provide a nice modern lodge feel.
New outdoor pool furniture, a mix of chaises and lounge seating with a firepit invite guests to linger from day to night. The old indoor ‘hot tub’ building was gutted to make way for state-of-the-art Fitness center that looks onto the pool deck.
Guestrooms and Suites were outfitted in a calming warm and cool neutral palette, accented with pops of green, another nod to the ‘Emerald City,’ along with soft plaid pillows and custom drapery dotted with wildflower prints. Custom, robust wood case goods and lampshades embedded with shapes of leaves – all meant to evoke the feeling of a modern lodge and a sense of place, a perfect respite for guests.
Valley River Inn is located on the bank of the Willamette River, with many of its guestrooms, meeting rooms and Sweetwater Restaurant directly overlooking it. The original owners of the hotel were loggers and some of the original details of the hotel reference that, in the wood timber beams, logging saws that were reconstructed into chandeliers and one that was proudly displayed on the wall as sculptural art.
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About Saguez & Dash
Saguez & Dash is a subsidiary of Saguez & Partners, one of Europe’s leading global design agencies. With teams in Saint-Ouen, New York, and Santiago, the designers work together to bring a new dimension to the art of living, while deeply understanding the needs of the American market. This partnership showcases a unique expertise in hospitality design, blending the best of both countries. Saguez & Dash is fully aware of today’s environmental challenges and incorporates sustainable design principles into every project. The team, comprised of 20 different nationalities, is driven by a shared commitment: to create inspiring, sustainable spaces grounded in today’s realities. Saguez & Dash is a privately held company.
