PSA Brown Bag Lunch Series: The Westin Portland Harborview

Join PSA for a tour of the newly renovated Westin Portland Harborview hotel, (formerly the Eastland Park Hotel).

A Unique Historic Hotel

Henry P. Rines envisioned the grand hotel in Congress Square in the early 1920’s. Designed by local architect Herbert Rhodes on June 15th 1927, after one year of construction and $2 million dollars the doors opened to the 369 room Eastland Hotel. It was the largest hotel in New England and quickly became a landmark to the city of Portland.

For over 130 years, the Rines family made significant contributions to Portland in retail, broadcasting, charitable ventures, and law, among other endeavors. The Rines Brothers store, Maine’s first department store, redefined the retail district of Portland when it opened on Congress Street in 1883. Every luxurious Portland hotel at the beginning of the 20th century was owned by these industrious brothers. A string of family-owned radio stations and two television stations formed the Maine Broadcasting System, one of the most powerful broadcasting operations in America at the time, which included WCSH Radio, Maine’s first commercial radio station.

The Eastland Park, when it opened in 1927, gained fame as the largest hotel in New England. Aviator Charles Lindbergh stayed in it after returning from the solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. In 1946, it gained notoriety again when it refused to allow former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt to stay with her dog for the night. Over the years, the main ballroom has seen its share of society weddings, cultural events as well as more than a few political icons of both parties.

In1960 the hotel was purchased by the Dunfey family, a well-known name in the New England hotel industry. It was at this time that the North Tower was added to the original structure. The hotel was then named The Eastland Park Motor Hotel.

On March 9th 2011 the announcement was made that RockBridge Capital and their partner in the acquisition New Castle Hotel & Resorts purchased the historic Eastland Park Hotel and initiated a $50 million renovation. After 86 years of history and memories the legacy continues in the revitalized Westin Portland Harborview.

Wednesday, August 27th

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (Meet in hotel lobby at 12:00 noon)

Cost: Members - FREE

Non-Members - $10.00