Blaine lands first boutique hotel

Blaine has scored its first upscale boutique hotel.

It will have a sports vibe, of course, and be located across the street from the city's biggest draw, the National Sports Center.

Local developer Elevage Development Group is partnering with Portland, Ore.-based Provenance Hotels to build a five-story, 80-room hotel on Baltimore Street next to Bricks Kitchen & Pub.

The Blaine City Council on Thursday approved the hotel plans, which include a pool terrace overlooking some of the sports center's athletic fields. The plans suggest that the hotel will have a sleek, modern, urban aesthetic.

"Expanding on the notion of play, we will infuse the public spaces with games and incorporate a bold, fresh approach to the hotel fitness center," according to the plans submitted to the city.

This will be Provenance's first hotel in Minnesota. "We specialize in hotels that have personality and reflect the destination," said Kate Buska, a spokeswoman for the hotel group.

The National Sports Center draws 4 million visitors a year — more than Target Field — and lays claim to the title of world's largest amateur sports and meeting facility.

Executives with Minnesota United, the state's new Major League Soccer franchise, have been in talks with the Sports Center to make it the team's official practice facility.

"This is an incredible opportunity for the city of Blaine, a boutique hotel with the type of exposure it has around the sports facility," said Aaron Roseth, president of Minneapolis-based ESG Architects.

Professional and amateur athletes, trainers, other members of their parties and tournament patrons would soon be able to stay in Blaine, Roseth said.

"It's pretty unique to go into a suburban community for their type of model and believe in it as much as they do," he said. "They believe in it because of how incredible of an asset [the National Sports Center] is for the state of Minnesota, frankly."