The expansive views from The Horsefeathers offer guests a unique perspective that's second to none, overlooking downtown Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge
The Summit is two-story penthouse that features a gourmet chef's kitchen, three bedrooms with luxurious king-sized beds, two full baths and overlooks downtown Hood River.
The Summit is two-story penthouse that features a gourmet chef's kitchen, three bedrooms with luxurious king-sized beds, two full baths and overlooks downtown Hood River.
HOOD RIVER — An iconic landmark in downtown Hood River has new ownership and a new-look interior. Hood River has been home to the Horsefeathers building since 1889 and over the decades has served many purposes, most recently as home to a restaurant, bar, beer garden, and a brewery. Until May 2019 the Big Horse Brewery had operated in the space, until a fire broke out in the kitchen. Faced with daunting repairs, former owners Randy and Susan Orzeck put the building up for sale. After four years, multiple owners (and a handful of attempts to work with the City of Hood River), current owner Christopher Lenzi has successfully navigated the many obstacles placed in his way to make his dreams for Horsefeathers come true.
“My dream is to be able to create beautiful experiences and memories for visitors, the local community, and for my friends and family,” Chris said. “Horsefeathers became available. And it was one of those things where this is once a lifetime opportunity and I decided then I would find a way to make it work.”
Although at first, not everything was going smoothly.
“It’s been probably one of the most challenging projects in my life,” he added. “Just given the complexity and the dynamics of the history, the city and everything else.”
The newly renovated Horsefeathers building in downtown Hood River.
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The Orzecks experienced firsthand the complexities in the local building codes and dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic. For over three decades, the Orzecks operated the successful restaurant and brewery until a kitchen fire in 2019 forced renovations. Post-fire, they were unable to come to an agreement with the insurance company and City of Hood River, so they decided to retire. The Orzecks sold the space to Dr. Mendy Maccabee and her husband, Dr. David Maccabee.
Maccabee made plans for a mixed residential and medical clinic, but that proved infeasible, and ultimately their proposal remained a proposal.
It was then that Chris stepped in, purchasing the property from the Maccabees and becoming the newest owner. In the months to follow, Chris held many discussions with representatives from the city on what he could and couldn’t do, and worked with city planners and land use officials to finally land on a solution — remolding the space into a boutique hotel.
Opening in late June, Horsefeathers Boutique Hotel is complete with four luxury condominiums designed for couples, families, and individuals to stay and “have a beautiful experience in Hood River.” Each condo comes with a gourmet kitchen, with two of the four spaces including an outdoor deck area with seating, firepits, barbecue grills, and stunning views of Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge.
“I’ve poured my heart and soul into it. Each unit is unique,” Chris said.
During the multi-year project, Chris found true love, proposing to his long-time partner, Laura, down at The Hook and on Aug. 12 of this year tying the knot in neighboring Stratton Garden. “While it’s been an amazing adventure, having embarked on this journey and breathing new life into Horsefeathers over the last couple of years alone, I’m most excited for the journey ahead — and continuing to build on that dream together with my wife and our family and friend,” Chris shared.
Formerly a brewery, this studio is one of the condos available on Airbnb, VRBO and the Horsefeathers website.
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Three of the four units are now available, with the luxury penthouse, known as “The Summit,” opening in September. The Summit has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and can sleep six guests. “The Retreat”, a studio unit inspired by Chris’s time spent living overseas in Sicily while in the military, now resides where the former Horsefeathers brewery was located. Above that unit is “The Lookout,” which is a high-ceiling, two-bedroom, two-bathroom space with an expansive deck overlooking Second Street and the Columbia River.
Chris and Laura have plans to include a cafe and beer garden on the backside of the property for anyone to grab a drink on a warm summer evening or a coffee as they head down the Second Street stairs into downtown. Chris said he plans to break ground in the coming weeks, with the outdoor space opening to the public early next spring. They have some unique plans for what they want to offer.
“We’re taking a phased approach to development,” Chris said. “So, think something like a cool Airstream trailer or old Ford pickup with beer taps in the bed, that kind of thing... But really, the focus is on making it a fun, welcoming spot for people to connect over great food, drink, and music — with live bands on occasion. We’re going to play off of Stratton Garden, with the new space replicating much of the look and feel — a beautiful garden and community space for everyone to enjoy.”
They are not planning to include a full kitchen in the initial design, but when the cafe and beer garden is finished, they are considering partnering with local businesses in their plan for offering food.
The brand-new condos — which are perfect for a wedding party or family reunion — range from $340 a night up to more than $700. Chris said they are still working to nail down the right price point, but added that staying at Horsefeathers is no ordinary experience.
The expansive views from The Horsefeathers offer guests a unique perspective that's second to none, overlooking downtown Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge
Contributed photo
“We have factored in that they aren’t hotel units in the traditional sense,” Chris said. “It’s more geared for folks who are coming for events — for getaways, for family reunions, for making those memorable experiences, special experiences with family and friends.”
The luxury condos are currently available for booking via Horsefeathers website as well as AirBnB and VRBO, and will be available year-round. Chris has also partnered with local business such as 301 Gallery — whose artists' work adorns the condos, as well as restaurants like Votum and Romuls, and whitewater rafting company Zoller’s Outdoor Odysseys, to create bespoke packages that highlight all that Hood River and the Columbia Gorge have to offer and provide guests with that memorable experience that they will cherish for years to come. For more information or to book your own condo in the heart of Hood River, visit www.horsefeathershotel.com or call Chris and Laura at (541) 645-5252.
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