The Docent's Collection
East Brown Cow, Commonwealth Hotels Expanding The Docent’s Collection in Portland
Now OpenHotel website
The Docent's Collection, a curated collection of private, luxury lofts designed for short-term and long-term stays in Portland, Maine, today announced the extension of its brand with the addition of new luxury units. An alternative to traditional hotels, The Docent's Collection provides a distinct approach to travel with temporary lodging options that cater to guests from families to business travelers, and even locals seeking a staycation. Lofts are available in studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom options and equipped with a full kitchen and premier art collection from beloved artists such as Thomas Moser, Anthony Muench, and Tanja Hollander.
The new lofts were thoughtfully converted from class B vacant office space and showcase the Thompson Block's historic design features. Alongside the new additions, East Brown Cow led renovations throughout the building's second and third floors to further enhance the hospitality offering - including renovations and improvements to the building's stairwells and corridors.
Fusing historic architecture with modern touches, each loft is thoughtfully appointed with a fully equipped kitchen, large dining and living area, and custom furnishings to provide a home-away-from-home experience. The technology-forward mobile check-in process allows guests to customize their preferred level of interaction with the hospitality team, who engage with guests as a personal "docent" both within and beyond the lofts' walls. Local touchpoints are woven throughout courtesy of featured art collections, interior design and amenities, which include handmade furniture from Thomas Moser, oil paintings by Cooper Dragonette, and freshly-ground coffee beans from local roaster, Coffee by Design.
This latest expansion comes off the heels of The Docent's Collection's rebrand from "121 Middle" in 2022, led by Commonwealth Hotels and East Brown Cow, a Portland-based real estate investment, development and management company. This latest addition reflects the success of The Docent Collection's unique model under the strategic guidance of East Brown Cow and Commonwealth Hotels, with plans for additional growth in the years to come. Most importantly, the expansion is solely a conversion of vacant office space and does not impede current housing stock in Portland, a top priority for the East Brown Cow team.
Slated for Spring 2025, The Docent's Collection will continue this expansion even further with additional lofts constructed at 178 Middle Street and 184 Middle Street - two 19th century buildings designed by Architect George M. Harding. The Boyd Block and William Widgery Thomas Block were built in 1867 when the City of Portland invested in creating a new waterfront for the city. Ingrained into the fabric of the Old Port, these buildings boast a prime location within the destination's vibrant arts community, local boutiques, and nationally recognized culinary concepts.
121 Middle St
Portland, ME 04101
United States
