Stephen Alexander//November 18, 2015//

Just a few weeks after opening its Anderson School complex in Bothell, Wash., McMenamins is turning its attention south 鈥 to a former Elks lodge in Tacoma, Wash., that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
McMenamins purchased the building in 2009, company co-founder Brian McMenamin said, and then added the annex in 2012. This week the company announced that it is seeking outside investment to help pay for a renovation that could cost upwards of $25 million. The company’s goal is to start the bulk of redevelopment in spring 2016 and open in summer 2017.
鈥淲e’re pumped about it,鈥 McMenamin said. 鈥淲e’ve been nosing around Tacoma for the better part of 20 or 25 years. The timing is in place and we’re ready to go.鈥
McMenamins will continue its longstanding tradition of working with Ankrom Moisan Architects, Andersen Construction and Pacific Crest Construction.
The building was constructed in 1915-16. It will be renovated to include approximately 46 hotel rooms with private baths, a ballroom for events, three restaurants, small bars, a McMenamins brewery; an outdoor caf茅 and patio along Spanish steps, and gardens that will provide the restaurants with seasonal ingredients.
Some McMenamins projects, such as Edgefield, have been completed in phases. However, the team wants to deliver the Elks lodge as a complete project, which is why it is seeking outside investment. McMenamins formed Elks Temple Properties LLC to raise approximately 30 percent of project costs 鈥 as much as $8 million to $10 million. Minimum investments of $150,000 are being sought from accredited investors.
鈥淲hat’s been nice is that our investors are people that understand McMenamins and the business and are fans of the business,鈥 McMenamins Chief Financial Officer Christopher Longinetti said. 鈥淭hey know what can be from these properties. They understand the importance of a community investment, and the impact it can have on the community.鈥
With the expansion of the Tacoma Link light rail, the McMenamins property will become another stop between the city’s museum/university district and the Stadium and Hilltop neighborhoods. Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland believes that the renovation will benefit both the city and the region.
鈥淭his聽long-anticipated聽project聽will聽transform a beloved historic building聽into a family-friendly brewpub and hotel with distinctive聽art,聽live music and entertainment options,鈥 she said. 鈥淎 revitalized Elks lodge will be a regional destination.鈥
McMenamins, founded in 1983 by Brian McMenamin and Mike McMenamin, currently operates 54 pubs, restaurants and historic hotels. All of the establishments are in the Pacific Northwest, but Brian McMenamin said that the company has pondered the idea of expanding outside of Oregon and Washington.
鈥淲e’ve talked a lot about that romantically,鈥 he said. 鈥淟et’s put a place in Hawaii. Let’s put a place in Florida. We move slowly. Being based here in the Northwest, we’re familiar with the Northwest. Right now everything is within a three-hour drive from Portland. That’s kind of our limit. But Northern California? It would feel great to have something down in the Bay Area. I don’t know. We’ve got a lot of stuff in the works. We’re continuing the movement.鈥