Local developer Chris Hamm revealed plans to the Telluride Town Council for his plans for the Hotel San Miguel, what he hopes will be an "iconic" new bed base, on the site of the current Willow Parking Lot at the corner of South Willow and East Colorado. Hamm, who moved to Telluride from Texas a year and a half ago, revealed plans made by architect Eric Cummings (who helped on the New Sheridan renovation) for a two-story hotel with 65 rooms, a swimming pool, underground parking, a bowling alley, and an outdoor deck and conference room that he considers public amenities. According to the Telluride Daily Planet, at 33,900 square feet, it's one of the last big vacant lots in the commercial core, and the town is receptive to using it to increase the bed base downtown. Hamm insists he's not hoping to build a "Disneyland-type structure," but rather something that looked like it was built around the same time as the New Sheridan.
However, Telluride will no doubt have to take their time considering the many waivers Hamm is seeking on everything from max building height to floor area ratio to setbacks, which he insists he needs to make the project economically feasible. As a trade-off to the town, Hamm proposed building an underground parking lot that would be the foundation for the new Telluride Science Research Center and relocating and renovating some deed-restricted housing.
· Developer unveils ambitious hotel proposal [Telluride Daily Planet]