Main Street’s Washington School House Hotel listed for $31 million

The Washington School House Hotel, announced Tuesday the historic landmark property, just steps from Park City’s historic Main Street, will be listed for sale at $31 million. Photo: ProMedia Co

PARK CITY, Utah – The Washington School House Hotel, an historic landmark property in Park City’s historic Old Town will be listed for sale at $31 million, making it the second-most expensive listing for the area in recent history. Announcement of the sale came Tuesday from owner, Pilot Hotels.

The 12-room luxury boutique hotel has been a Park City icon for well over a century and is built on .3 acres comprised of five lots. The 11,763-square-foot property, originally a schoolhouse built in 1889, features its original 16-foot schoolhouse ceilings; a stunning historic living room; chic ski lounge; detached two-car garage with view deck; and a heated pool terraced into the hillside.

“When we purchased the property in 2009, our original intent was to restore it as a home for our family,” Marcy Holthus, CEO of Pilot Hotels and current owner of Washington School House said.

“After we started the renovations, it became evident that we couldn’t keep this stunning gem to ourselves and thus, I became an accidental hotelier. With vigilant attention to detail, we were resolute in preserving and restoring the building’s authenticity while creating inspiring spaces and a truly extraordinary property.”

While the property currently operates as a successful hotel, it could be purchased and converted into a private residence with minimal renovations, and therefore is being marketed for both opportunities.

“Washington School House offers a unique opportunity for buyers as it can continue to be operated as an award-winning luxury boutique hotel, or it can be turned into a gorgeous family home,” Gretchen Hudgens, an agent with Windermere Real Estate, the brokerage representing the sale of the property said.

HISTORY

A National Historic Registry landmark built in 1889, Washington School House was named after George Washington and remains one of the last surviving original schoolhouses in the United States.

Though close to going up in flames in Park City’s Great Fire of 1898, the schoolhouse survived but after enrollment declined following the stock market crash of 1929, it was sold in 1936 to the Veterans of Foreign Wars who used it for dances and social events until the 1950s. In 1984, the building was purchased and renovated into a bed and breakfast, dubbed The Washington School Inn, which served its visitors and community until Marcy Holthus, the seller and owner of Pilot Hotels, purchased the property in 2009.

Masterfully renovating the property, while respecting the building’s historical integrity including maintaining the original quarried limestone exterior, the interiors were completely reimagined and taken down to the studs. Rebuilt with modern design elements and a brilliant floor plan to preserve the two-story double-hung windows, the 12-room luxury boutique hotel opened in 2011 as a destination-defining architecturally significant gem.

DESIGN + ROOMS

The design team Paul and Shannon Wehsener of Paul Allen Design and architect Trip Bennett created 12 spectacular suites and rooms each meticulously finished with original reclaimed oak barn wood floors, locally quarried Utah quartzite, mountain ice-white marble bathrooms, heated floors, walk-in showers and period fixtures.

The Penthouse Suite, which was built as a pied-à-terre for the current owner and her family, is located on the top floor and boasts magnificent 270-degree views of the town of Park City, stretching to the High Uinta Mountains.

Accessed through its own private keyed elevator, the cleverly designed floor plan allows the suite to become a three-bedroom with adjoining rooms and a private hall. Additional highlights include a spacious living room, fireplace, galley kitchen and sophisticated accents throughout, including a 19th-century French wine table, original artwork, crystal chandeliers, and more.

INSPIRED SPACES

The building’s stunning living room features 16-foot ceilings and nine-foot windows that illuminate the room with plenty of natural light. A roaring fireplace and 10-foot gold gilded antique mirror from an opera house in the south of France serve as a focal point, while a one-of-a-kind custom-made antler chandelier dipped in white lacquer and layered with Swarovski crystals hangs from above.

A carefully curated collection of European antique furniture, exquisite fabrics, vintage modern paintings, and custom pieces bring a refined opulence and elevated level of sophistication to the interiors. All furnishings and decor besides a few personal items are included in the sale.