The Davenport Hotel has started to remodel space formerly occupied by Spa Paradiso and plans to open its own luxury Davenport Spa and Salon there by September.

Spokane developer Walt Worthy, who with his wife Karen Worthy reopened the remodeled Davenport Hotel in 2002, says the spa renovation includes the historic Pompeian Room in the lower lobby area next to the pool and fitness center. Spa Paradiso vacated the space in July at the end of a 10-year lease to move into commercial space being developed in the Kendall Yards urban village just northwest of downtown.

Worthy says the spa will expand from 6,000 square feet to almost 7,000 square feet by incorporating some adjacent areas formerly used by housekeeping and for offices. It will have more spa treatment rooms for a total of 15 overall, including rooms dedicated to women, men, or couples, he says.

The spa also will open with a nail salon and hair salon.

"We're redoing the whole spa from top to bottom, floor, walls, and ceiling," Worthy says. "There will be some nice new colors, a lot of new marble work, and we're adding a nice fountain."

Worthy designed the renovation and will be the project's contractor. The city of Spokane, which issued a building permit, has estimated the project value at $160,000.

The Davenport spa is expected to employ 30 to 40 people.

Lynnelle Caudill, Davenport Hotel general manager, says the spa also will include some new spa treatment services that are the latest in the industry. It will offer services that include skin care, body care, massage therapy, hair care, and nail care. Additionally, Worthy says the spa will have for retail sale several new lines of cosmetics and lotions that will be used for beauty care in the spa.

The Worthys bought the vacant Davenport hotel building for $6.5 million and began a $38 million renovation project there in 2000, while maintaining the elegant designs created for the Davenport almost a century earlier by renowned architect Kirtland Cutter.

The spa entrance is the historic Pompeian Room that was the site of the hotel's barber shop. The room itself is nearly 100 years old.

Worthy says the Davenport Hotel and Spa Paradiso parted on good terms.

"They were a wonderful tenant," he says.

He adds, "This will be the first time we'll introduce the Davenport Spa and Salon. We've created our own spa, and the service will be on par with the service you'd find in other areas of the hotel."

Worthy says the hotel also recently remodeled its Davenport Home Store near the front reception desk in the lobby, featuring two signature items that include its confections candy and the Davenport Bed, in addition to other products and decor.

"We're selling almost twice the product than we did in previous years," he adds.