East Brown Cow and Commonwealth Hotels have opened new accommodations from the Docent’s Collection, a boutique hospitality product in Portland’s historic Old Port.
The expansion includes seven new lofts on the fourth floor of the Thompson Block, a historic building at 121 Middle St. The lofts are available for booking.
The Docent’s Collection, launched in 2019, is intended to combine “first-class hospitality of a hotel with the personalization of a luxury residence,” East Brown Cow said.
“This expansion reinforces our success of rebranding the Docent’s Collection as a distinctive hospitality concept, one that showcases the vibrancy of the Old Port,” said Tim Soley, president and CEO of East Brown Cow.
“As we continue to invest in Portland’s urban fabric and aim to preserve its architectural history, we are eager to expand our breadth of offerings to contribute to the city’s continued growth and evolution.”
The lofts were converted from vacant Class B office space. Guests use a mobile check-in process and can customize the amount of interaction they have with the hospitality team.
The lofts are decorated with handmade furniture from Auburn-based Thos. Moser, oil paintings by Cape Elizabeth-based artist Cooper Dragonette and coffee from Portland-based Coffee by Design.
The Docent’s Collection grew from encompassing one building at the Thompson Block (121 Middle St.) to two buildings with the addition of two lofts on the upper floors of the neighboring 115 Middle St., known within the collection as the A. Robinson Block.
Plans call for further expansion along Middle Street, with construction underway at 178 Middle St. and 184 Middle St. — a total of 19 new units.
Consigli Construction’s Portland office is managing construction.