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Hilton Eugene Sold; Makeover And Rebranding Underway

Brian Bull
/
KLCC

The Hilton Eugene will be rebranded, following one of Lane County’s largest real estate deals. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.

AJ Capital Partners of Chicago has bought the Hilton Eugene for $80 million .  Their plan is to remake the 12-story structure into “Graduate Eugene” next year, as part of the national Graduate Hotels brand...that boast a counter-culture --  yet locally relevant - vibe.

Credit ajcpt.com/portfolio/graduate
Interior shot of a Graduate Hotel lobby in Tempe, Arizona.

“They work with local vendors," says Brittany Quick-Warner, President of the Eugene Chamber of Commerce. "They try to accommodate the history and culture of the community in their design elements for the rooms.”

Quick-Warner says she’s excited for the change, and the potential for increased tourism to the downtown area.

“I can’t say for sure what they would do, but we have a rich history and culture with our university, with Track Town, some of the arts and cultural events that we have in our community, there’s a lot for them to pull from.”

Construction signs are already up at the Hilton Eugene. Renovation work on conference spaces, guest rooms, and restaurant is expected to wrap up in summer 2019.

Copyright 2018, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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