The new owners of the Western Lodge in Steamboat Springs have been working on renovations since purchasing the property in April, and they plan to reopen the iconic downtown property this September.

“Ownership purchased it from Peter and Kathy (Guler) in April, and we’ve been completely renovating all the rooms,” said Tammie Thompson-Booker, general manager. “As our owners like to say, ‘We’ve taken care of much-deferred maintenance.’ So, all new flooring, new beds and new furniture. The bathrooms have been redone, so it’s a complete remodel.”

She said the parking lot will be redone, an area near Lincoln Avenue will be spruced up and turned into a common area, the dumpster will be moved to the back and the sign will be renovated to reflect the historical significance of the property.

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“Our sign person got approval for our colors and everything with the city,” Thompson-Booker said. “To my knowledge it has been created, but they’re going to bring back the cowboy hat that was on the top of the sign back in the old days.”

She said the property is being managed by the Highlands Vista Group for two investment companies — 4ofUs and Foulweather Routt — based out of Colorado

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The original Western Lodge was built in 1942. The building was enlarged or altered in 1948, 1951, 1968 and 1978. The original building was a single-story structure that included six rooms. The first floor of the center section was expanded in 1948, creating an L-shape, followed by the northwest wing that was added 1968 with a second story being added to the middle section in 1978.

It was one of numerous motor courts built along the route in response to a strong growth in automobile-related tourism industry during the post-war period. Thompson-Booker provided historical documents stating that motel themes of the era were often designed to inspire positive images of the Old West, and the Western Lodge promoted this theme through its name and decor.

The Western Lodge was owned by Norm Olsen for several years prior to 1980. The motel was then under corporate ownership for a short time before it was owned by the Intrawest Bank of Steamboat Springs under a Protected Trust Deed.

From 1990 to the present, the Western Lodge has been owned and operated by the Gulers, who made their home there as well.

Kathleen Cunningham Guler is an award-winning author of published historical fiction. She authored the four-part “Macsen’s Treasure” book series. In 2010, Kathleen Guler was a Colorado Book Award winner as well as a National Indie Excellence Award winner in the historical fiction category.

The Gulers originally wanted to sell the property along with two other parcels to a single buyer. However, the property was separated into three parcels at the start of the year, with one parcel including the Western Lodge, a second parcel off 12th Street that included the historic Marshall house and another parcel off Oak Street.

The sale of the Western Lodge property took place this spring, with the new owners beginning renovations with hopes of revitalizing the iconic downtown property. The property spans just over an acre with Lincoln Avenue and Soda Creek frontage, and includes single- and two-story sections. The waters of Soda Creek flow behind the building before passing through a culvert under Lincoln Avenue on its way to the Yampa River.

Following the renovations, there are now 35 rooms, which are expected to be available by mid-September. Thompson-Booker said she is in the process of expanding the staff to seven people including housekeeping and help for the front desk, which is expected to be open 6 a.m.-11 p.m. in the summer and 6 a.m.-10 p.m. in the winter. She said those interested in working should call the main office at 970-879-1460.

Thompson-Booker said the Western Lodge will operate like a motel and offer a few extended-stay rooms for people who may be working in the area. There will not be monthly rentals.

“We are going to welcome pets, and we will be expanding our Wi-Fi,” Thompson-Booker said. “The rooms are not going to be super fancy. We’re not going to be the Ritz, but it’s a nice, comfortable, affordable place in a great location.”