Saint Edward State Park Seminary Lease Approved By Parks Commission

The state Parks Commission has approved a proposal to rehabilitate the seminary at Saint Edward State Park in Kenmore, which involves renovating the landmark building and turning it into a lodge with up to 100 guest rooms.

The commission on Monday approved a 62-year lease with Seattle developer Daniels Real Estate. The developer has put forth a plan to rehabilitate the building and turn it into a lodge-style hotel with a spa and restaurant.

"The lodge rooms will be a unique blend of historic and modern. Guest rooms will be tasteful and comfortable but not lavish. We imagine that no two lodge rooms will be alike given the extensive restoration. Our aim is to transport guests back in time to what the seminary would have been like in the 1930’s when it was built," according to the project description.

As part of the plan, Daniels will donate a piece of property that would add 450 feet of Lake Washington waterfront to the park.

The state took possession of the seminary and surrounding grounds in 1976. The old seminary has sat unused ever since, and the cost of renovating the property has only increased over the years. Daniels may spend as much as $45 million on the renovation, according to reports.

Daniels has handled other historic redevelopment projects in the area, including the Frye Art Museum and the Starbucks Center.

Image via Flickr user Sinziana Gafitan