The Landing Hotel in Ketchikan is under new ownership. Philo Ventures, announced on Thursday that they had acquired the popular hotel near the Ketchikan Airport ferry terminal. The hotel has over 100 rooms and two restaurants. Previously, it was co-owned for decades by Ketchikan residents Terry Wanzer and Kay Sims.
Chad Staheli is the CEO of Philo Ventures, the real estate firm that purchased the hotel.
“We love owner-operated properties from an acquisition perspective. And so when we came across the Landing, we had conversations with Terry for a little while and went back and forth and it fit a lot of our profile, which is well run properties and beautiful locales that we think have longevity to them,” Staheli said in a phone call.
According to Staheli, Philo Ventures is a small company and their hospitality management arm, called Basecamp Hospitality, doesn’t often acquire new properties. Philo Venture’s website states that they also run an investment fund and an incubator for startup entrepreneurs. The Landing Hotel is the company’s first commercial venture in Alaska. The firm currently owns two other properties: one in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and the other near Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Utah.
In a press release, Philo said that the previous co-owner Terry Wanzer will remain actively involved in the hotel as “an advisor” and the current General Manager Linda Peters will “remain in her position during the next few months to oversee a seamless ownership transition prior to her retirement.” Philo said they have appointed Christa Hagan as the new general manager after Peters’ retirement. Hagan is a longtime Ketchikan resident and sits on the board of directors at the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau.
In a phone call, Kara Tetley of the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau said that the Landing Hotel has historically been an important part of the community and local economy.
“In working with [Wanzer and Sims], I’ve always felt like they were very interested in working with the visitors, of course, but also the community. And they’ve always really showcased the community in a good way,” said Tetley.
In an email statement, Wanzer said that Philo shared his values of love of the outdoors and small communities. He added that he believed Philo would “continue to uphold the uniqueness and tradition of the Landing Hotel while also bringing fresh ideas and innovations.”
Staheli said that although they are always looking for opportunities for expansion, they don’t have any immediate plans to change anything about the hotel.
“It was a well run hotel, and I think that the community appreciated the food particularly, and some of the other benefits that are associated with the hotel, and there’s no major immediate plans to shift any of that,” he said.
Staheli said that local leaders and community members have been very helpful with the transition and that Philo hopes to find other properties that fit their criteria to continue expanding their presence in Alaska.
