ROCKLAND — It might not be obvious from the street view, but 250 Main, Rockland’s newest boutique hotel, has the look and feel of a gallery on every floor, with art from a variety of local Maine artists, including Eric Hopkins, Sam Cady and Janice Kasper, hanging on the walls.

And on Friday, June 3, anyone who is out and about for the city’s monthly Art Walk might want to pop in for the hotel’s grand opening, which kicks off at 4:30 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Louise MacLellan-Ruef and Rockland Maine Street Inc. Executive Director Gordon Page Sr.

This is the public’s opportunity to enjoy complimentary cheese and crackers, wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks in the spacious lobby while getting personalized tours from the staff inside some of the hotel’s signature balcony rooms. Simultaneously, the hotel’s curator will be giving a tour of all of the artworks in the building. It will also be one of the few opportunities locals not staying in the hotel will get to view the stunning roof deck overlooking The Pearl and Rockland Harbor.

“People can walk around, see who the artists are and what galleries they are from,” said Hotel Manager Taylor Corson. “Every art piece in the hotel is for sale.” 

In a group tour Corson led last week she said she recalled that, “one woman in the group stopped and looked at a piece on the wall and said, ‘Oh my gosh I painted that! I had no idea it was here.’ It was the coolest thing.”

The architecture of the hotel is not hotel-like at all. From the reddish cement stairwell floors with famous quotes from authors on the risers to the expansive lobby that doubles as a lounge area, there’s a lot to take in. There are no long hallways on the upper floors and there is plenty of glass and light.

The hotel was designed by architect Scott Tease of Scattergood Designs in Portland, while the individual look of the rooms was designed by James J. Wall of Thirlwal Building Design. Cabot Lyman of Lymon Mores Boatbuilding built the five story, 26-room hotel with many of the interior finishes produced at his boatyard in Thomaston.

People will also get a chance to glimpse the rooms themselves, including the jewel of the hotel, Room 405, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a secluded deck with white couches.

“It’s pretty amazing with a gorgeous view,” said Corson.

Bonus for the Cheap Daters: anyone who attends can enter a drawing for a free night at the hotel. To find out more visit: 250mainhotel.com

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com