Say hello to Hotel Ballard.

Ballard's first four-story, four-star hotel will be officially be opening in May at 5216 Ballard Avenue NW by the Olympic Athletic Club, which owns the hotel, bringing "classic old world charm to Ballard."

With 29 rooms, the guest rooms and suites range from $189 to $429 a night, and feature a king bed, ample room to work with a desk and complimentary wi-fi, in-room entertainment on HD plasma screen TVs, "exquisite" linens and down comforters, and more. Hotel Ballard also boasts panoramic views of the city and the Olympic Mountains. Underground parking will provide space for 60 cars.

Since it will be in the Ballard Ave Landmarks District, the owner said the design both distinguishes itself from the historic buildings and pays tribute to them, using handmade stucco, sandstone and wood panels as a modern interpretation of the "notable neighbors" it stands next to.

"We wanted to build a hotel that would not only be an extension of the Olympic Athletic Club and offer a respite for locals, but a place where travelers can come and celebrate special occasions as well as enjoy all that Ballard has to offer," said Hotel Ballard owner and developer James Riggle in a statement. "The hotel truly will have a ‘home away from home’ feel."

On street-level will be a restaurant, Stoneburner, which will be run by Bastille Cafe and Bar's own chef Jason Stoneburner. Jason was just nominated hottest chef in Seattle by Eater.com. According to Seattle Met, the new restaurant will focus on handmade pizzas and pastas. It will also have an event space on top of the hotel.

However, the hotel has not been without its controversy. A local attorney, Mike Kahrs (who now heads the Central Ballard Residents Association) attempted to appeal the design, citing concerns about parking and traffic. He later dropped the appeal, saying he and the Olympic Athletic Club owner Jim Riggle were working together to address the issue.

Puget Sound Business Journal also reports the hotel is being built on the site of Ballard's first bowling alley, but we're not sure what they are referring to. In any case: No, they don't mean Sunset Bowl, and no a new bowling alley is not being built on the bottom floor.

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