The Architectural Foundation of Oregon has launched an innovative two-day experience called The Design Trail, taking visitors on a journey through beautifully renovated historic buildings across the Columbia River Gorge. Founded nearly 45 years ago, the nonprofit organization is dedicated to educating and inspiring people of all ages about the benefits of well-planned, inviting spaces. The inaugural Design Trail event, held November 14-15, sold out quickly as participants toured welcoming renovated hotels and met prominent design leaders including Portland-based architects Jeff Kovel of Skylab and Ben Waechter of Waechter Architecture.
Erica Rife, the foundation's executive director, announced plans to make this an annual, statewide program. The event serves as a fundraiser for the foundation's Architects in Schools program, which reaches more than 5,000 Oregon elementary students each year, encouraging them to think critically about structures both old and new, and the environments these buildings create. Previously, the organization has hosted Dine & Design dinners in architecturally significant homes throughout the Portland area.
Although the first event has sold out, the destinations featured on the itinerary remain accessible year-round for visitors to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The sites were carefully selected by the architecture organization based on their structural design integrity and are located on both the Oregon and Washington sides of the Columbia River.
On the Washington side, The Society Hotel Bingen stands as a remarkable example of adaptive reuse. Located on a nearly 3-acre property at 210 N. Cedar St. in Bingen, Washington, the hotel recently transformed the 1937 Bingen schoolhouse into private suites, hostel-style bunks, a cafe, and lounge. Both the school and separate gymnasium, now repurposed as meeting spaces, were originally constructed during the Depression era by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The property also features new cabins thoughtfully arranged in a circle around a day spa.
Hood River boasts several historic buildings participating in the Architectural Foundation of Oregon's program. The 1924 Butler Bank Building at 301 Oak St. showcases Egyptian Revival style architecture with a distinctive winged cornice, designed by A.E. Doyle, one of the Pacific Northwest's most celebrated early 20th century architects. The Union Building Lofts at 310 Columbia St. represents another success story of historic preservation. This early 1900s rail shipment facility for the fruit industry sat unused for more than half a century before being transformed. In 2018, six residential lofts were constructed and sold in a portion of the building, and in 2024, the Union Building Lofts expanded to include office spaces and short-term studio rentals.
The crown jewel of the tour is the Lightwell Hotel & Spa at 201 Cascade Ave., which serves as the program's preferred accommodations and starting point. "Lightwell Hotel is our preferred accommodations and where we will start the program with a private tour and lunch," said Rife. The hotel features 69 modern guest rooms and a rooftop bar within the long-abandoned 1904 Waucoma Hotel, newly reopened by locals who are world-traveling outdoor sportsmen.
The Lightwell Hotel & Spa takes its distinctive name from an architectural improvement made more than a century ago. Originally designed by architect C.J. Crandall and built in 1904 along the waterfront, the Waucoma Hotel underwent significant changes by 1909 when new owners renamed the brick building the Hotel Oregon and added a wing. A central light well was created between the two sides to bring fresh air and natural light into the building, and this historic light well now serves as a central feature of the four-story Lightwell Hotel & Spa, which is managed by VIP Hospitality Group.
The building's restoration represents a major community investment after sitting vacant since 1973. "Restoring this historic building wasn't just about saving bricks and beams; it was about giving the community back a cornerstone of our downtown," said Lach Litwer of Columbia Gorge Capital in a news release. Litwer is one of Lightwell's founders along with Cal Blake. The hotel's design and three years of restoration and construction were expertly led by GB Pacific Construction's Ceb Barrs and Gabe Genauer.
The restoration process involved significant structural and seismic upgrades while carefully preserving and refinishing key original architectural details. "Lightwell Hotel & Spa brings new life to one of Hood River's oldest landmarks reimagined for modern travelers," Genauer told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Genauer, who serves as president of Groundswell Development, also developed the Society Hotels in Old Town Portland and Bingen.
The property offers numerous amenities designed for relaxation and connection to local history. The lobby features a large fireplace and a baby grand piano that once belonged to Hood River's first female hotelier, Ola Bell, according to the History Museum of Hood River County. Original oak wood floors were thoughtfully repurposed as decorative wall panels in Viento, the hotel's Pacific Northwest-style Mediterranean restaurant. The rooftop bar showcases a wooden trellis modeled after the original design and features year-round fireside seating with stunning views of the Columbia River Gorge.
"From the rooftop bar to the subterranean spa and locally inspired dining, every corner reflects the spirit of the gorge: adventurous, creative and connected to community," said Genauer. The success of this inaugural Design Trail demonstrates the growing appreciation for thoughtful architectural preservation and adaptive reuse projects that honor historical significance while meeting contemporary needs.
