Ridpath Hotel has closed

Spokane's historic Ridpath Hotel has closed for at least four months.

The managing owner, Douglas Da Silva of Las Vegas, says the 200-room hotel could be revamped and reopen for New Year's Eve as a Clarion Suites franchise.

Da Silva bought the hotel in 2006 and had it for sale last winter for $8.5 million. More than 15 employees lost their jobs Monday when the hotel closed.

The Ridpath opened in 1900 and became a Spokane landmark with the big letters spelling out Ridpath on top of the 13-story building.