FAQ
Does this development require a zone change?
No, it does not. The property is currently in a tourist zone, which allows for the development of a hotel.
Is the building really going to stand 72 feet off the ground on River Street?
No. The building will stand 48 feet off the ground on River Street. Because the hotel is being built on a hill where ground level gradually changes, the structure technically gets taller as the hill recedes, but it will appear flush with the 48-foot height on River Street. At the structure’s highest point on the hill, it will stand 63 feet off the ground with a 9-foot parking structure underground. At its lowest point on the west side near the creek, the building will stand 27 feet off the ground.
How close to the street is the building going to stand?
The building is going to be set back 15 feet from River Street. As a reference, Limelight Hotel Ketchum across the street has less than a one-foot setback.
How is this development going to impact surrounding traffic?
Based on both the insight of local drivers and our own experiences, we understand that traffic congestion is a major concern. In order to learn what areas could use some extra attention, we conducted a traffic impact study, and the City hired an independent team of third-party engineers to do the same. The outcomes of these studies have provided us with several insights that we are now implementing to make improvements to our design. For example, we are working with the Idaho Transportation Department to add a left-hand turn lane at the intersection of Highway 75 and River Street and anticipate that the addition will help alleviate some of the rush-hour gridlock that currently exists there. We will continue to use the results and recommendations of these traffic impact studies to guide us in the design of the project and most importantly, to help us improve the flow of traffic in this area. We’re also committed to equipping the hotel with on-site cars that both guests and employees will be able to utilize at their convenience, providing opportune access to public transportation, and offering regular hotel shuttle services to and from the airport and resorts.
Is there really a need for another hotel in Ketchum?
We are currently in the process of collecting data in order to better understand the market, from flights and accessibility to average vacancy rates during shoulder seasons. PEG never enters a market without a comprehensive understanding of its current scope and development outlook.
Why would the developer select the Marriott brand to bring to Ketchum?
The Tribute Portfolio is a family of independent boutique hotels bound by their Indie spirit and heart for connecting people and places. As a member of the Tribute Portfolio, the hotel will have the benefit of being on Marriott’s reservation systems but not necessarily resemble a traditional Marriott hotel. In order to be eligible to build a Tribute Portfolio boutique property, developers must curate a completely one-of-a-kind look and feel. By leveraging building materials native to Ketchum (i.e. black lava stone and quality wood), incorporating Ketchum’s rich history and culture into our brand DNA, and running with the “mountain-modern” design aesthetic that community members suggested in a survey earlier this year, we are creating a truly warm, welcoming, and unique experience that will exist nowhere else.
Will the general public have access to the hotel’s amenities?
Yes, the public will have full access to the restaurant, bars, and rooftop experience.
Does this project have potential to end up like the neighboring unfinished hole in the ground?
No. PEG never starts construction until we have bank financing and equity in place. Our long track record of successful projects should serve as strong evidence that we never start something we can’t complete.
Will the new hotel include employee housing?
Yes. The development of this hotel will create 100-plus competitive-paying jobs with exact salaries to be determined by the hospitality management company. Because the goal is to attract quality employees who will desire to stay with the hotel for the long haul, we believe that incorporating as much affordable employee housing as possible is a worthwhile investment. That is why we are more-than-doubling the amount of affordable employee housing the City requires.