The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Staff at Black Butte Ranch (BBR) are ready for BBR homeowners, the Central Oregon community, and visitors from around the globe to make memories within their new space. Standing proudly with ponderosa pines, the new lodge is 22,100 square feet and has expansive windows. The architecture and décor was created to capitalize on the setting and offer a variety of spaces for dining, sharing a drink with friends, or hosting all kinds of events from weddings to intimate evenings and large special events.

Walking up to The Lodge, the lawn area blends seamlessly with Phalarope Lake. Inside the building, views are captured in floor-to-ceiling windows of the Three Sisters, Broken Top, and Mt. Washington. From the Aspen Lounge on the second floor, windows were placed to provide summit views of the resort's volcanic namesake, Black Butte. On the north wall of the lounge, the iconic thundering herd of horses created by Sisters woodworker, Skip Armstrong has been rehung, bringing back some of the elements from the original lodge.

With the new lodge open, weddings have already begun on The Ranch. The new lodge's event spaces allow wedding parties to get ready on the big day and celebrate before and after with their guests. Guests can schedule a dinner or celebration in the second-floor private dining space with its own private deck. With the kitchen area much larger and able to accommodate all kinds of events, there's talk that eventually there may be some chef's table events within the expansive kitchen area.

Marketing Manager Kim Kohn says The Lodge has far exceeded her expectations. She invites guests to sit by the fire in one of three lodge fireplaces or move outside onto the second-floor Aspen Lounge deck. Wildlife enthusiasts may see bald eagles hunting for fish on the lake and otters swimming through the water and dipping under to find something delicious to eat.

Guests are already taking advantage of warm nights and moving outside for a meal in the main restaurant at sunset or getting cozy in a Pendleton-fabric booth by the fire. The tables in the dining area were built from the wood of a tree that had to come down before The Lodge could be built. Architects and staff made sure to put the lumber to good use in a variety of ways within the building.

"This is an important step for Black Butte Ranch, ,bringing to completion a reimagining of the heart of one of the Northwest's most celebrated and treasured destination resorts," said Shawn McCance, CEO of Black Butte Ranch. "We're thankful for the support from our homeowners and are enjoying watching them - and our resort guests - make new memories at The Lodge."

"The Black Butte Ranch lodge is the culmination of our work to create a series of buildings that complement the natural beauty and stunning geology surrounding The Ranch," said Corey Martin, principal designer at Hacker Architects. "We created spaces that feel warm and sheltering while also very connected to the landscape. We integrated the ideas and input from as many homeowners as possible and feel like the design has something special for everyone."

The new lodge replaces Black Butte Ranch's 50-year-old original lodge, removed to make space for the new building. Settling into the new space and making sure every aspect of the guest experience is beyond compare is an ongoing commitment for staff. Locals and visitors alike are invited to share in this new Central Oregon resource and make lasting memories with family and friends.