The McCleerys purchased lots 3, 4 and 5 in the commercial area of the development from PMR Devco, L.L.C. for a total of $1,700,000, according to Deschutes County records.

PMR managing partner Doug Sokol had master planned Lot 3 for an upscale, boutique style hotel with 45-60 rooms. The site offers mountain views and is expected to be the centerpiece of the development.

According to Sokol, Lot 3 was deed-restricted for hotel development, which was always seen as a key to the development.

It took four years to sell the site. Sokol acknowledged that the rest of the residential and commercial development needed to be well underway before a buyer would become interested.

"I'm not surprised it took this long, not at all," Sokol said. "Who's going to invest that kind of money overlooking a cow pasture?"

By purchasing additional property, the McCleerys have the option to add other compatible commercial uses. A spa, conference center and restaurant are possibilities, according to Jeff Jones, the broker with Coldwell Banker/Reed Bros. Realty who represented the McCleerys in the transaction.

McCleery, who also owns Sisters Mobile Home Park, could not be reached for comment by press time.

Sokol said he believes a nice hotel and restaurant will bring benefits to the broader Sisters community, creating a draw for off-season business conferences, jobs and evening activity that will encourage shoppers to come up from Bend and Redmond.

"It's going to bring an economic base to Sisters that I think is long overdue," Sokol said.

PMR's commercial development will adhere to Western architectural themes, although it is being developed under Deschutes County guidelines.

Those guidelines allow a 45-foot height limit, which means the hotel could be three stories tall.

"I haven't seen a design," Sokol said.

Sokol said he would like to see the development reach beyond false-front Western architecture, looking toward some of the more elaborate and elegant constructions of 1880s Western gold country for inspiration.