Long-awaited project moving forward in Tacoma

A long-anticipated Tacoma project is on track.

The $25 million-plus transformation of the historic Elks Lodge into a McMenamins will begin by April, The News Tribune reports.

The new location is scheduled to open by fall 2017.

When complete, the new McMenamins will feature more than 40 hotel rooms, a ballroom, three restaurants and small bars, a brewery and an outdoor cafe and gardens.

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“This … project will transform a beloved historic building into a family-friendly
brewpub and hotel with distinctive art, live music and entertainment options. With the expansion
of Link light rail, this will be another stop that connects our museum/university district with the
Stadium and Hilltop neighborhoods,” Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland said when the project was announced. “A revitalized Elks Lodge will be a regional destination.”

McMenamins operates more than 50 brewpubs, music venues and theater pubs. The mostly-Oregon business has expanded up to Washington. The most recent addition to Washington was when McMenamins refurbished the Anderson School in Bothell.

Chris Longinetti, chief financial officer for McMenamins, announced the updated schedule and the project plans during a recent Tacoma Downtown Merchants Group meeting, the Tribune reports. He explained the Bothell location has helped “revitalize downtown,” and “changed the dynamics of downtown,” the Tribune reports.

In order to complete the project, McMenamins formed Elks Temple Properties LLC to raise about 30 percent of the project costs (up to $10 million). The company also sought investments for accredited investors.

The Tacoma Elks Lodge was built in 1915-16 when fraternal organizations were an important part of the community and had the money to build ornate buildings.

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