Starwood, Kemper Complete Agreement Bringing W Hotels to Bellevue Collection

By Alex Girda, Associate Editor

We knew the Kemper Development Co. would expand The Bellevue Collection with a new hotel. It was recently revealed that the hospitality property would be operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. With an agreement now in place, the two companies are set to debut the W Hotels brand, part of the $1.2 billion project, during spring 2017.

Aerial view of The Bellevue Collection and its expansions

Set to take shape on Bellevue Way between NE Fourth and Eighth streets, the hotel will feature 245 guestrooms, of which 25 will be suites. Also included is the Extreme Wow Suite, the brand’s take on the Presidential Suite. The hotel will also feature 11,400 square feet of meeting and event space, a FIT fitness facility and three unique restaurants and bars, including an all-day dining restaurant.

The overall design scheme will fit in with the larger W Hotels brand’s aesthetic, while also drawing on the facility placement. The hotel property is located near the shores of Lake Washington. It will offer guests a library stocked with pulp fiction novels, a large fireplace, an outdoor terrace with porch swings, and a pool table, part of a unique guest experience.

As previously noted, the W Bellevue will be part of an expansion of Kemper’s Bellevue Collection. The developer continues to add an estimated 1.5 million square feet to the existing structures at Bellevue Square. The Lincoln Square Expansion will offer 710,000 square feet of office space; 180,000 square feet of retail, dining and entertainment space; as well as 231 luxury high-rise rental housing units. In its current form, The Bellevue Collection includes Lincoln Square, Bellevue Square and Bellevue Place.

Image courtesy of https://lincolnsquareexpansion.com