Rooted in Our Community
The Atticus Hotel has grown from the roots of our community in McMinnville, Oregon. Partners Erin Stephenson & Brian Shea started chasing the dream of creating a small, independently owned and operated luxury hotel in their hometown with the launch of a boutique lodging company in 2010. Their first brand, 3rd Street Flats—a fusion lodging concept blending the best aspects of hotels, B&Bs and vacation rentals—won rave reviews from guests out of the gate, and now has two locations in Historic Downtown McMinnville.
The success of 3rd Street Flats gave Erin & Brian the confidence to turn their attention full-time to bringing their long-held hotel dream to life. Armed with a vision for a luxury hotel with an independent vibe, locavore sensibilities, high design aesthetics and a level of service reflective of the spirit of generosity that flows through their community, they set to work to create the Atticus Hotel.
Fueled by a passion for their community and a desire to help guests feel an authentic connection to McMinnville, Erin & Brian flipped the lens on the hotel experience, re-thinking common tropes and expectations. After seven years of listening to all the things their guests loved about 3rd Street Flats, they felt uniquely poised to bring all the best aspects of their current brand into the Atticus, creating a new twist on a luxury lifestyle hotel.
As a part of that journey, Erin & Brian expanded their team to bring on long time friend and advisor Ben Perle as partner and General Manager of the hotel, helping them execute their collective vision. Ben’s long career in hospitality has given him the chance to take the helm at properties in his native France as well as Oregon–where he’s lived for the last twenty years–leading some of the state’s top luxury hotels, and bringing years of experience to the operation of the Atticus Hotel.
Opening in the spring of 2018, the Atticus Hotel tells the story of what it is to be a part of Oregon Wine Country. With a location in the heart of one of Oregon’s most iconic historic towns, an emphasis on featuring local artisans, and a deep seeded knowledge that true luxury is defined by the intent behind every decision, guests at the Atticus Hotel enjoy the best of a wine country lifestyle. Erin, Brian & Ben wouldn’t have it any other way.
The History of the Building
Built in 1909 by the local chapter of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, an international fraternal society, the Odd Fellows Lodge has stood sentinel on the corner of Third & Ford Streets in downtown McMinnville for 105 years. With a grand ballroom spanning the entire second story of the building, the lodge was the site of endless social events during its heyday.
1909: Constructed for use as an Odd Fellows Hall
1950s: Mar-Don Beauty Shop
1966: Renate’s Hair Fashions: Wigs and Hairpieces
Late 1980s: Barbara and Dwight Sidway purchase property and renovated it.
2015: Honest Chocolates / Lumos Wine / Terra Vina Tasting Room. Third Street Flats occupies the second and third floor with rental properties.
This three-story rectangular brick building is covered with stucco and an aggregate material on the Third Street façade. There are two storefront bays on the Third Street façade and one entrance to the second floor at the south end. This entrance has an original neon sign above the opening which reads I.O.O.F. A plaque is located on the east corner with the inscription,Occidental Lodge No. 30, June 26, 1909.
The International Order of Odd Fellows had this building constructed for their use in 1909. This building replaces an earlier I.O.O.F. Hall on the same site constructed in 1887. The building was sold for $80,000 in the late 1980s to Barbara and Dwight Sidway. After renovation and refurbishing the building was again sold two years later for more than $2 Million. In 2014, Third Street Flats Boutique Hotel received an award for best interior renovation of the second and third floors. Be sure to stroll by the two tasting rooms and chocolate shops on your way to the next historic property.