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V O L . X X V I I N O. V I I I A P R I L 1 9 , 2 0 2 1 6 A Kennebunkport hotelier invests $20 million in an MDI property B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r S o u t h w e s t H a r b o r — By the time renovations are completed on a historic hotel that changed hands last September, total investment in the property, includ- ing the purchase price, is expected to be $20 million. Kennebunkport hotelier Tim Harrington, bought the Claremont Hotel, at 22 Claremont Road, from Claremont Inc. The new owner will be under the limited liability corporation Claremont Hospitality LLC. The plan is to have the hotel open for Memorial Day weekend. Harrington said he was smitten before even step- ping inside. "I went up and stepped onto the property and said, 'I feel like I'm home. I'm definitely buying this. [That was] before I ever went inside," he said, recalling that he made his first visit by boat. The property includes a main hotel as well as smaller guest houses with names like Rockbound Seaspray, Morning Glory Sunrise and Lady Slipper Thistle. There's also dining venues, a spa and cro- quet court. Fast forward to today and the property is undergo- ing extensive renovations. Workers are replacing or updating bathrooms, win- dows, elevators, heating and ventilation systems and paint. They're also installing air conditioning, a swim- ming pool, two restaurants and a spa. The 7-acre property is getting new landscaping. Harrington is a partner and creative director of the Kennebunkport Resort Collection boutique luxury hotel group. His Kennebunkport hotels include the Tides Beach Club, Cape Arundel Inn & Resort, Hidden Pond Resort and Sandy Pines Campground. He also owns Batson River Brewing and Distilling. Built by a retired sea captain, the Claremont dates to 1884 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The resort consists of a main building and additional guest facilities and amenities. In 2010, President Barack Obama and his family had lunch there. Author John Updike was a longtime guest. The Claremont was owned by the McCue family for 52 years and went on the market in September 2019 for $6.95 million. In the past year, the price dropped to $5.975 million. The final purchase price was not disclosed. A number of previous employees plan to return, Harrington said. He's also running employment ads. B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state YourPace Admissions 207.768.9433 umpi-yourpace@maine.edu umpi.edu/yourpace/maol YO U R J O U R N E Y. YO U R PAC E . 100% ONLINE COURSEWORK AFFORDABLE TUITION BUILT-IN FLEXIBILITY INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION REAL-WORLD APPLICATION M A S T E R O F A R T S I N O RGA N I Z AT I O N A L L E A D E R S H I P (MAOL) E A R N YO U R in as soon as 1 year for $12,000 or less! Financial aid eligible for qualified students. P H O T O C O U R T E S Y / T H E C L A R E M O N T F I L E P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R B R I E F The Claremont Hotel is undergoing extensive renovations under new ownership. More than $20 million is being invested in the property, which includes a main hotel, several guest houses and dining operations Tim Harrington The Southwest Harbor hotel had been owned by the same family for 52 years.

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