Benson Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Benson Hotel
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The Benson Hotel complex: the original building (center) was built in 1912. The additional annex building (to its left) was built in 1959
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 Location in Portland, Oregon
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| Location | 309 SW Broadway Portland, Oregon |
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| Built | 1912 |
| Architect | Doyle, Patterson & Beach |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003175 |
| Added to NRHP | November 20, 1986 |
The Benson Hotel is a famous hotel in downtown Portland, Oregon. It has 287 rooms and is known for its long history. Today, Coast Hotels & Resorts owns and runs it.
It was first called the New Oregon Hotel. But most people just call it "The Benson". Many people think it's one of the best hotels in Portland. The hotel is named after Simon Benson, a famous businessman who also helped others. With 287 rooms, it's one of the biggest hotels in Portland.
Building a Dream Hotel
Simon Benson, a wealthy businessman, dreamed of building a really special hotel in Portland. This was during a time when Portland was growing fast. Many people were moving there between 1905 and the 1930s. Benson wanted to build a hotel that would be known around the world.
Design and Opening
The main hotel building was designed by a company called Doyle, Patterson & Beach. They used a fancy French style called Second Empire. They got ideas from the famous Blackstone Hotel in Chicago.
The hotel first opened on March 5, 1913. It was an extra part, or "annex," to another hotel nearby called the Oregon Hotel. For about 16 months, it was known as the New Oregon Hotel. Then, Simon Benson took over running it. He renamed it The Benson Hotel after himself.
Changes Over the Years
Simon Benson sold the hotel in 1919. Later, in 1944, a company called Western Hotels bought it. In 1959, the old Oregon Hotel building next door was taken down. Western Hotels then built a new part with 175 rooms for The Benson.
In 1981, Western International Hotels changed its name to Westin Hotels. So, the hotel became known as The Westin Benson. In 1986, The Westin Benson was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical building.
Westin Hotels sold the hotel in 1988 to WestCoast Hotels. This company is now called Coast Hotels & Resorts. After this sale, the hotel went back to its original name: The Benson Hotel.
Dining at The Benson
Today, a restaurant called El Gaucho is located on the ground floor of the hotel. It offers a place for guests and visitors to eat.
