Bentley inches closer to reopening

Michael Jenkins is no longer predicting when the Hotel Bentley will reopen, but he does think it will be back in operation sooner rather than later.

"Every time we give a time frame, something else happens that pushes us back," said Jenkins, who has experienced setbacks including failure of the cooling system and a burst water pipe since he started renovating the property. "It's going to be relatively soon."

Jenkins bought the Bentley in 2012, after the historic hotel had closed for eight years, and has been working on a full restoration "from the top to the bottom, inside and out."

On Wednesday, Jenkins was recognized by the Alexandria Historic Preservation Commission with its Preservation in Progress award for his work on the Bentley.

"It's really recognizing preservationists for their work on historic properties and for using the appropriate treatments," said AHPC Director Sarah Mason. "We're applauding what they've done. I'm very pleased with the work being done here. This is very deserving."

"It means everything to me," Jenkins said. "It's important to me to do whatever I can to preserve the integrity of historic structures, so they're here for future generations."

The Mirror Room, the lounge in the basement of the Bentley, was the first part of the hotel to open in May. The hotel has also hosted some special events.

Jenkins is hoping it won't be much longer before the first guest rooms open. The middle of the three floors that will have guest rooms is close to being ready. Painting was completed on the floor Sunday. Workers still have to move furniture in and do some finishing work on the handicap-accessible bathrooms.

Work on the outside of the hotel was also recently completed, and the bottom floor is finished except for the kitchen. Once new appliances are brought in to the kitchen and the necessary inspections are done, Jenkins said, the Bentley's restaurant will reopen.