Work started this month on a $5 million project that will expand and rebrand the former Fairbridge Inn Express at 211 S. Division into a new La Quinta hotel franchise.

The four-story, 36,000-square-foot hotel is owned by Kennewick, Wash.-based investment group Bridge Hospitality and managed by Ignite Hotels LLC., a hospitality management group also based in the Tri-Cities area. 

Ignite Hotels President Gurbir Sandhu says converting the property into a La Quinta will help with neighborhood’s revitalization efforts and provide a nationally recognized lodging option in a downtown location.

“La Quinta competes in the upper midscale lodging choices such as Hampton by Hilton and Fairfield by Marriott,” Sandhu asserts. “I’m hoping that this development and the Hampton Inn & Suites development near the hospital will help reinvigorate this side of downtown Spokane.”

Spokane-based Fowler Construction Inc. is the contractor for the renovation project, which was designed by Russell C. Page Architects PS, also of Spokane. 

Sandhu says the project includes adding an additional 2,550-square-foot space to the front of the building that will be used to expand its lobby, breakfast, and seating area.

He says the work also includes expanding the building’s fitness room to a total of 800 square feet of space.

“We’re starting work now and hope to have the project completed by summer,” Sandhu says.

In Spokane Valley, a second La Quinta Inn & Suites remodel project is underway at 3808 N. Sullivan Road.

The hotel is owned by Hour 88 Hospitality Inc., which owns several other hotel properties in Oregon and southeast Asia.

Spokane-based Baker Construction & Development Inc., the contractor for the $500,000 project, started construction in September and expects to complete it next month, says project manager, Travis Bradford. 

The project includes a complete remodel of the building’s exterior and the addition of a four-story tower and canopy at its main entrance on the building’s north side.

“We’re starting work now and hope to have the project completed by summer.”

Gurbir Sandhu

Ignite Hotels LLC.