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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 23 F E B R UA R Y 4 , 2 0 1 9 F O C U S S O U T H E R N M A I N E ere doesn't yet seem to be any sign of saturation, as shown by strong and growing average daily rates, Hewins says. "All the new capacity is being absorbed," he says. "Eventually there has to be a tipping point. But I don't believe we see that point yet." Brady agrees. "We recognize that all good things don't continue to go up forever," Brady says. "We're fortunate in Portland that we've been discov- ered as a tourism destination and, even more importantly, that large businesses continue to come downtown" like WEX and Covetrus, both developing new headquarters. "Large businesses are a positive for the hotel market because they're demand generators. So I remain optimistic about the opportunities." "It's been interesting to see how little issue there's been absorbing new rooms in this market," says ompson. "My opinion is we're quite a ways away from saturation. I don't see any signs of Portland ceasing to be a desirable destination, even if we head into a soft- ening. I think people who are looking for a weekend away will come to places like Portland disproportionately over other markets, because it's a short drive from a large region and there's always something to do." Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz Smiles are such simple gestures, yet they're so powerful for your small business. As the nation's leading dental insurance provider, Delta Dental is the perfect partner to keep your employees' smiles healthy with trusted experience, n atio n al a cce ss to th e la rg e st network of dentists and specialized expertise in oral care. Visit NortheastDeltaDental.com for your small business and choose a plan today. WHAT'S A BETTER RETURN THAN A SMILE? N E W H O T E L N E W H O T E L N E W H O T E L N E W H O T E L R E N D E R I N G / C O U R T E S Y O F C A S E Y P R E N T I C E , P O R T L A N D F O R E S I D E D E V E L O P M E N T C O. R E N D E R I N G / C O U R T E S Y O F WAT E R S T O N E P RO P E R T I E S G RO U P P H O T O / M A U R E E N M I L L I K E N R E N D E R I N G / C O U R T E S Y O F C A S E Y P R E N T I C E , P O R T L A N D F O R E S I D E D E V E L O P M E N T C O. Fathom Cos. plans a six-floor hotel at 1 Center St. in Portland. It will feature an indoor-outdoor rooftop bar. The rendering shows the hotel as seen from Commercial Street. Home2 Suites, at 50 Maine Mall Road in South Portland, opened in July 2018. It's owned by New Gen Hospitality Management of South Portland. The 111-suite hotel features energy-saving features like a cogeneration heat system. Portland Foreside Development Co. is planning a West Elm brand hotel at 58 Fore St. in Portland, expected to open in 2020. In Westbrook, select- and full-service hotels are planned as part of Needham, Mass.- based Waterstone Properties Group's 100-acre mixed use development, called Rock Row, according to Waterstone's website.

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