Hotel Ursa: A Celestial retreat anchored in UMaine’s tradition

Friday, March 15, 2024

Orono, Maine – Olympia Hospitality proudly unveils the debut of Hotel Ursa, a brand-new establishment nestled within the University of Maine (UMaine) campus in Orono. Boasting 95 guest rooms centrally situated within the campus grounds, Hotel Ursa caters to various requirements of UMaine while offering visitors an unparalleled and captivating stay.

Inspired by the Ursa Major and Minor constellations, along with the guiding North Star, Hotel Ursa emerges from the meticulous restoration of two historic campus edifices: Coburn Hall and Holmes Hall, erected in 1887-88. These architectural gems, designed in the Romanesque Revival style by alumnus Frank E. Kidder, retain their vintage allure while providing contemporary accommodations. Complementing these structures is Polaris Hall, a modern addition offering chic guestrooms.

Among its amenities, Hotel Ursa features MajorMinor, a vibrant café and bar where university members and guests can unwind over locally roasted coffees, delectable baked goods, snacks, and evening beverages.

The development of Hotel Ursa was spearheaded by Radnor Property Group, renowned for its expertise in higher education public-private partnership (P3) projects across the northeastern region, in collaboration with Harrison Street, a distinguished investment management firm specializing in alternative real assets.

“We are proud to be a partner in this project for the adaptive reuse of these historic buildings in the heart of the UMaine campus. It has been quite a journey, and we are elated to mark this milestone and hand the keys to Olympia,” says Nick Allen, Director of Public Private Partnerships at Radnor Property Group.

“As a Maine-based company, our entire team shares in the excitement and pride felt among all of the partners behind this extraordinary opening,” says Sara Masterson, President of Olympia Hospitality.

The project was crafted by Archetype Architects, with Wright-Ryan Construction serving as the general contractor. Olympia Hospitality, headquartered in Portland, oversees the hotel’s operations. Olympia was selected for its extensive expertise in managing a wide array of campus hotel ventures, such as The Alfond Inn at Rollins, The Inn at Swarthmore, and The Hotel at Oberlin. These boutique-style hotels were conceived and designed in close partnership with their respective colleges.

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