Hyatt Hotel Adjacent to Oregon Convention Center Finally Gets Out of Legal Limbo

Metro and hotel opponent Gordon Sondland reach settlement in long-running battle.

By Nigel Jaquiss

Since the 1970s, backers of the Oregon Convention Center have wanted a hotel next door. They may finally get their wish—thanks to a legal settlement inked today.

Opponents of the hotel—led by Gordon Sondland of Provenance Hotels, which owns several boutique hotels downtown—have fought the project for years. The objected to the public subsidy which Metro, the operator of the Oregon Convention Center, has proposed, and tied up the project in court.

Sondland has been waging three lawsuits against a deal led by regional government Metro to build a $213 million Hyatt hotel.

Last year, WW revealed documents showing Sondland tried to kick Hyatt out so his company could own and run the hotel. Metro rejected that offer.

But both sides today said the dispute is behind them and developers can move forward with a proposed 600-room Hyatt hotel.

What does Sondland get? A parking lot across from the Oregon Convention Center.

Here are the statements they issued today:

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Nigel Jaquiss

Nigel Jaquiss

Reporter Nigel Jaquiss joined the Oregon Journalism project in 2025 after 27 years at Willamette Week.

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