Dear Neighbors:
After 40-plus years of the former St. Edward seminary building sitting empty and neglected, Mary and I look forward to welcoming you to The Lodge at St. Edward State Park.
We are both excited to share the fine craftwork that has resulted in the rehabilitation of this one-of-a-kind landmark building. It has been a long and difficult journey, but the results are spectacular in our opinions.
Our aim for The Lodge is to embrace our community; and hopefully earn a spot as a trusted partner and neighbor. When you get a chance to visit, you will see a focus on the Pacific Northwest with local products for sale, a gallery featuring PNW artists, and other nods to the incredible place we live. The permanent art collection includes the PNW’s own Julie Speidel, Sabah Al-Dahaher, Paul Vexler, and others whom we look forward to sharing at the opening.
We have named the restaurant, Cedar & Elm, given the tranquil park setting. It will be led by a James Beard winning chef and will feature an amazing team of assistant chefs focusing on seasonal, locally sourced menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our three lounges will host Pacific Northwest wines, craft cocktails, and of course our area’s own local breweries. And as proud grandparents, we promise to have a kid-friendly ambiance. How could we not?
In our unique way, the décor reflects the history of the building and place, inspired to surprise and delight visitors with musings of local heritage and architecture. In the Tonsorium Bar (former barbershop) you will be taken back in time to the 1930’s, while the Library (former seminary library) will be a more peaceful experience with an interesting book collection and gaming tables for serious gamers. And we hope everyone gathers at Father Mulligan’s Heritage Pub and it becomes the go to spot in Kenmore for catching up with your neighbors.
Spa Vita Nova will focus on whole body health and wellness, incorporating many of the herbal teachings of our neighbor, Bastyr University.
One-time classrooms are now technology equipped meeting areas to host community events, educational symposiums, workshops, and business retreats.
This project has a special meaning for Mary and me – it is the park in which we said, “I do” and the place in which I plan to say, “adieu” from real estate development. As your hosts, we hope that you come and stay overnight on those special occasions, but the emphasis of all this work has been to create a treasured community gathering place for all.
When we open, please stop by and say hello, and enjoy the incredible craftmanship that our Pacific Northwest based team has put forth from restoration to preservation to interior design to brand development to curated artwork to hotel management – to you!
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Kevin & Mary Daniels