SANDPOINT, Idaho — Preservation Idaho, an organization that celebrates historic preservation efforts through two different awards, has awarded the Belwood 301 Building in Sandpoint with an Orchid award.
The Orchid Award honors individuals and organizations for positive contributions to historic preservation.
This year the Sandpoint Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission and Sandpoint community members nominated Belwood 301 due to its history and meticulous renovation.
Originally built in 1907, the building functioned as a mercantile and later expanded into the Saint James Hotel.
The current owners, Julie and Steve Meyer, renovated the building to preserve its historic character while upgrading it to modern functionality.
During the renovation, they improved things like repurposing the red fir wood flooring, reinforcing the red brick walls, revealing historic signage and utilizing the original beams by turning them into light fixtures.
Tim Boden of Boden Mountain Architecture received a Citation Award from the American Institute of Architects Idaho for his work on this project.
“The Sandpoint community is indebted to the efforts of Julie and Steve for the vision and commitment that they made to preserve and enhance the built environment of Sandpoint,” said Jeremy Grimm, Mayor of Sandpoint. “While Planning Director, I recall the countless hours they both spent with city staff pouring over design plans and the numerous obstacles they overcame to achieve their goal. Buildings last for generations and help to create and define the public realm that we all enjoy in Downtown Sandpoint. Through the passion of the Meyers, this wonderful building will live on for future residents to gather, dine, and celebrate and no doubt will be a landmark for decades to come.”
The Orchid Award for Belwood 301 will be presented on August 10 in Pocatello, Idaho, during the 47th Annual Orchids and Onions Award Ceremony.
Other historic buildings in Sandpoint that have won the Orchid Award include:
1986: Panida Theater
1991: Ms. Nancy Renk, Distinguished Preservationist
1998: Old Power House
2002: Archaeology & Preservation Committee
2014: Sandpoint Events Center
2015: Northern Pacific Railway Depot, Excellence in Historic Preservation
Nesbit-Tanner House and St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Contribution to Historic Preservation
2021: Sandpoint Federal Building (MickDuff’s Brewing), Excellence in Historic Preservation
2024 Orchid Award Recipient: Belwood 301 Building
