Starwood Hotels & Resorts has boosted its presence in the Pacific Northwest. The hotel company has opened the Nines, a Luxury Collection property, in Portland.A highly eco-friendly hotel, the 331-room Nines features 14,000 sf of green meeting space—including a 7,200-sf ballroom—an extensive art collection, and a signature restaurant. In addition, property officials expect the hotel to earn LEED Silver certification.To achieve the designation, conservation-focused plumbing, including low-flow faucets, have been put in place in order to save 400,000 gallons of water each year. All products used in daily housekeeping are Green Seal, and the hotel retains 50 percent of its energy from renewable sources.In support of the local art community, the Nines has partnered with art consultant Paige Powell, a longtime confidant of Andy Warhol, who commissioned Portland artists to create bold artworks for the hotel. The Nines also features original artwork exhibits and original pieces in each guest room.The Nines has a steakhouse, and a library with a custom pool table and floor-to-ceiling books.Originally published Dec. 15, 2008