Proposal calls for Time & Temperature Building in Portland to become a hotel

File Photo / James McCarthy Portland's historic Time & Temperature building.

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The conversion of Portland's iconic Time & Temperature Building to a hotel would, if approved, be overseen by a hotel developer with a track record.

Fathom Cos., which is about to open the Canopy By Hilton hotel in the Old Port and converted the old Portland Press Herald building into the Press Hotel, would lead the renovations, if approved by the city. Fathom, led by Jim Brady, had not been associated with the project until now. The story was first reported by the Portland Press Herald.

Fathom’s proposal calls for converting the office building into a 186-room hotel, with banquet rooms, a restaurant, retail and a rooftop bar.

The 14-story Time & Temperature Building, at 477 Congress St., is well known for its digital clock on the rooftop, which can be seen from as far away as Back Cove and Interstate 295. Much of the structure dates to 1924.

As an office building, the tower was showing its age, and was sold at auction in October 2018 for $9.3 million, with bids starting at $2.75 million.

The name of the winning bidder was not disclosed at the time of the sale and today is identified only as a limited liability corporation, T.T. Maine Venture LLC, which is being represented by Fathom Cos., according to the agenda for Wednesday’s Historic Preservation Board meeting. The meeting will be held via Zoom at 5 p.m.

Fathom leaders and architect David Lloyd of Portland-based Archetype Architects are expected to make the presentation.

If approved, the project would still face additional rounds of vetting, including before the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

The “building” is actually four structures that have over the years been combined, according to Historic Preservation Board. The components include the original structure, the Chapman Building at 477 Congress, as well as the Preble House Building at 481 Congress, a structure at 10-20 Preble St. and the B.F. Keith Theatre at 22 Preble St.

The development team will seek historic tax credits and need to stick to guidelines drawn up by the National Park Service. The team hired Scott Hanson of MacRostie Historic Advisors to develop the historic tax credits application.

Wednesday night’s review is being characterized as a workshop, with an initial discussion about exterior work encompassing masonry repairs and window-and-door replacement.

The iconic Time & Temperature sign is expected to be refurbished, but no additional details were provided.

“The aspects of the proposal that are likely to prompt the most discussion are the proposed redesign of the two-story rooftop addition, the proposed entrance canopy, and signage, as these are new added features and ones where an appropriate design solution is subject to more scrutiny or interpretation,” according to the Historic Preservation Board’s agenda for the meeting.