Bend wellness spa, hotel project breaks ground
Published 2:30 pm Wednesday, July 22, 2026
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Excavators clear the future site of the CASCADA hotel and thermal wellness facility in Bend on Wednesday as construction begins on the long-planned project. The development is expected to open in late 2028.
(Michael Kohn)
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Crews work on the future site of CASCADA hotel and wellness facility.
(Michael Kohn)
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Crews work on the future site of CASCADA hotel and wellness facility.
(Michael Kohn)
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Crews work on the future site of CASCADA hotel and wellness facility.
(Michael Kohn)
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Crews work on the future site of CASCADA hotel and wellness facility.
More than two years after plans were unveiled for a Nordic-inspired wellness destination near Bend’s Box Factory district, construction is now underway on the long-awaited project
Excavators began clearing the site this week as Seattle-based developer SolTerra officially breaks ground on CASCADA, a 68-room boutique hotel and thermal wellness facility expected to open in late 2028
On Wednesday morning, crews demolished one of the buildings on the block and cleared the debris. Around the site — along Arizona and Colorado avenues and Bond and Wall streets — sidewalks were partially or fully fenced off, forcing pedestrians to find alternate routes. Around 20 on-street parking spaces have also been removed due to the fencing and construction
For neighboring businesses, the changes are already noticeable
Richard Steffensen, president of Strictly Organic Coffee Co., said the loss of parking has created some inconvenience for employees and customers, but he expects the long-term benefits of the project to outweigh the temporary disruption
“The construction is a little tough because all the street parking around it is gone,” Steffensen said. “A lot of employees from the different businesses in the Box Factory use those spaces.”
Still, he said construction is simply part of doing business in a growing neighborhood
“We’ve been here 20 years,” he said. “We’ve had parking lots torn up, streets torn up. It happens. It’s normal.”
Steffensen said he believes the completed development will ultimately bring more visitors to nearby businesses
“When it finally opens, it’ll be really good for business,” he said
The project will occupy nearly an entire city block, on a site that has sat largely vacant for years
“It’s been a long process,” SolTerra Chief Operating Officer Marc Coluccio said. “Permitting took significantly longer than we had hoped, but we’ve done our best to work with the city and their third-party reviewers and expedite getting feedback to them whenever they had comments.”
Coluccio said the complexity of the building likely contributed to the extended review process, pointing to its complex structural, mechanical and plumbing systems
Construction is expected to take a little more than two years
The development remains largely consistent with plans first announced in 2024, with only minor modifications made during the permitting process
The centerpiece will be an adults-only thermal wellness facility featuring eight pools and water experiences inspired by Nordic bath traditions as well as Japanese onsens, Korean jjimjilbangs and Roman baths. Guests will move through a self-guided sequence of hot pools, cold plunges, saunas, steam rooms and relaxation spaces
The facility also will include a fitness center, spa treatment rooms, two restaurants and hotel accommodations. While the hotel and restaurants will welcome guests of all ages, the thermal wellness areas will be limited to those 21 and older
Coluccio said the project is designed to serve both visitors and Central Oregon residents
“We think this will be a year-round amenity for the local community that they’re going to truly enjoy,” he said. “It’s fantastic during all seasons for different reasons.”
The Bend project closely mirrors SolTerra’s existing CASCADA location in Portland, where day passes currently cost $100. Coluccio said Bend pricing is expected to be similar but may fluctuate more because of the city’s seasonal tourism. A limited number of memberships also will be offered
Sustainability remains a major focus of the development, although SolTerra is not currently pursuing LEED certification. The building is being designed to the same standards as the company’s LEED Platinum projects elsewhere
Rather than routinely draining its pools, the facility will use reverse osmosis, regenerative filtration and ultraviolet sanitation systems to continuously purify the water
The building also will incorporate a glass conservatory roof made from transparent solar panels that generate electricity while allowing natural light to filter through. Coluccio said it’s too early to estimate how much of the building’s energy demand will be met by the solar installation
Plans also call for spaces ranging from quiet, candlelit relaxation rooms to brighter, more social gathering areas filled with plants and mountain views
The project includes an internal parking garage with roughly 80 to 85 spaces, an element Coluccio said was intended to address neighborhood concerns about parking despite the city no longer requiring parking minimums
One neighboring business, Project Bike, will remain in operation throughout construction. Coluccio said the company plans to coordinate with the bicycle shop to minimize disruptions. The owner of Project Bike, John Frey, declined to comment on the project
SolTerra selected Bend after considering other mountain communities, Coluccio said, citing the city’s outdoor recreation culture and strong sense of community
“We just think Bend is one of the most beautiful communities,” he said. “It’s a place that we would love to live.”
An official groundbreaking celebration is scheduled for July 28, when company leaders will join local officials and community members to mark the start of construction. The project is expected to open in late 2028
About Michael Kohn
Michael Kohn has been public lands and environment reporter with The Bulletin since 2019. He enjoys hiking in the hills and forests near Bend with his family and exploring the state of Oregon
He can be reached at: 541-617-7818, michael.kohn@bendbulletin.com
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