September 2, 2015

Ruby Hospitality buys Spokane's oldest hotel

Photo by Oliver Donovan/Wikimedia Commons [enlarge]

The 36-room Montvale Hotel opened in 1899. Developer Jerry Dicker is the new owner and has started a renovation.

Spokane's historic Montvale Hotel was acquired by Ruby Hospitality in a foreclosure sale.

The Spokane Spokesman-Review reported the sales price at $2.3 million, and said the previous owner, Rob Brewster, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2013.

Ruby Hospitality owns and operates a number of hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues in Eastern Washington and Idaho. They include Hotel Ruby, Ruby 2 and Bing Crosby Theater, all of which are neighbors of the Montvale Hotel, located at 1005 W. First Ave.

Ruby Hospitality is owned by Jerry Dicker, who also has a development company called GVD Commercial Properties.

The three-story, 36-room Montvale Hotel opened in 1899 and is the oldest hotel in Spokane.

Ruby Hospitality announced the purchase, and said that the hotel will stay open while it is remodeled and updated.

Mauer Construction is the general contractor.

Plans include expanding the lobby into a corner retail space to create a coffee shop for hotel guests and public.

Renovations have already started. All mechanical systems are being repaired, and work is planned on the original skylights as well as decor and furnishings in the common areas.

Jared Mauer of Mauer Construction said he is working with Uptic Studios on conceptual designs for the coffee shop.

Dicker also plans to reopen a restaurant in a basement area that was once the hotel's boiler room.

Two other tenants, Scratch Restaurant and Rain Lounge, are expected to remain on the first floor.

Dicker did not return messages seeking more details about his plans.

He said in the announcement that he and his wife, Patty, have a passion for art and historical preservation.

“We look forward to installing amazing art that will be both contemporary and consistent with the historic feel of the Montvale,” he said.

Dicker's two other downtown Spokane hotels, Hotel Ruby and Ruby 2, were formerly a Rodeway Inn and a Ramada Express. He said the outdated motels are now “stylish, artistic small hotels” known for art installations, affordable prices, and free Wi-Fi and bicycles.