There has been strong speculation that Kemper Development Co.’s Lincoln Square II will play host to the first Ritz Carlton Hotel in the Pacific Northwest.
While nothing has been confirmed by either party, this is not the first time we have heard rumblings of the Ritz Carlton coming to Bellevue. In May of 1999, it was announced that a 300-room hotel would go into the complex, which was supposed to be known as “The
Palladium Center.” Not only would this project include a Ritz Carlton Hotel, but also a 550-room Marriott hotel, movie theater, and various restaurants.
Restaurants, which announced plans to be part of the Palladium Center included Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, and Il Fornaio.
The project was anticipated to open in the spring of 2002, but as the dot com bubble started to bust, the project had a hard time getting off the ground. With many good ideas left on the table, Downtown Bellevue began to pick up these tenants, which originally intended to be a part of the Palladium Center. As we now know, The Lodge at Bellevue Square is now the home of both the Cheesecake Factory, as well as P.F. Changs. Also in Bellevue, when complete, will be a total of three Marriott Hotel projects.
Will Ritz Carlton be next?
