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An empty Southwest Portland lot could become home to a new 204-room hotel.

Bob Matkin from Mortenson Construction and Jon McAuley from SERA Architects on Friday met with the Portland Design Commission to discuss preliminary plans for a 13-story, 115,000-square-foot structure at 820-838 S.W. Third Ave.

Urban design planner Jeff Mitchem from the Portland Bureau of Development Services attended the meeting and said the design 鈥� for the brand 鈥� calls for a lobby, a bar, a dining area and a restaurant space on the first floor.

Plans did not include on-site parking.

鈥淚t’s not unusual for hotels, especially in that area,鈥� Mitchem said. 鈥淭here’s a lot of vacant parking at night around there because it’s mostly offices in the area.鈥�

Mitchem said the hotel would likely arrange for valet parking with a nearby garage or share evening lot space with nearby offices. He said developers proposed needing as few as approximately 20 spaces for guests because many won’t drive during their stays.

鈥淭his is a new type of hotel they’re importing from Europe,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t’s kind of a new prototype for the hipster, Gen Y group, with smaller rooms and more spartan design, but still quality.鈥�

The proposal is still early in the design and planning phase. The architect and contractor presented plans for an L-shaped building, Mitchem said.

鈥淭he project occupies a site at the threshold of the Yamhill Historic District and also at the threshold of the Central (Business) District,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he crux of the design meeting is: How do you respect the context or influence of both? You do that with a design that either contrasts or complements the existing essence of the surrounding buildings.鈥�

He said the hotel’s design, in general, appeared viable, but said one side of the building had more of a glass and metal feel, while the other incorporated more masonry.

鈥淥ne of the commissioners said it looked 鈥榓 little clown pantsy,’ 鈥� Mitchem said. 鈥淭hey liked the drama of the Third Avenue facade, but thought the Taylor Street side was the weaker sibling and suggested they either pump the whole thing up or tone it all down.鈥�