Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Keady.
Hi Jen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Forrest and I made the decision to move our family of five to Burns, Oregon, full-time in the fall of 2013. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.
Forrest has always had an incredible eye for creativity and detail. One thing he recognized right away was an old building that simply needed someone willing to invest the time, vision, and hard work to bring it back to life, but also give us a place to live. Restoring old buildings quickly became his passion and his niche.
Our first project was the old Masonic Lodge. We transformed part of the building into our family home and created a beautiful new office for my optometry practice, allowing me to return to my hometown and care for patients in a space we had built together. Our three boys—Jake, Travis, and Will—were an integral part of every project. They spent countless hours working alongside us, learning practical skills, a strong work ethic, and plenty of life lessons along the way (whether they appreciated those lessons at the time or not!).
In 2016, we purchased the Historic Central Hotel after it had sat vacant for more than 20 years. Forrest grew up in Hillsboro, Oregon, while I was raised in Burns, so restoring the hotel became a perfect blend of our backgrounds and shared vision. Forrest has always been fascinated by the Prohibition era, and that inspiration became woven into every detail of the hotel’s restoration.
After completing the Masonic Lodge project, we briefly operated one of the spaces as an Airbnb. The response from Airbnb guests confirmed that there was a real demand for unique lodging experiences and an opportunity to breathe new life into Burns’ historic downtown. The Central Hotel became much more than a renovation project; it became part of a larger vision to help revitalize Main Street and create a destination our community could be proud of.
Our next chapter led us to purchase the iconic—but well-worn—Palace building just one block away. Between 2019 and 2023, we transformed it into a vibrant gathering place featuring retail businesses, food carts, and a community taproom. Watching these historic spaces become active and meaningful again has been one of the most rewarding parts of our journey.
Today, we’re still doing what we love: restoring historic buildings, preserving their character, and creating spaces that bring people together. Along the way, we’ve learned that these projects are about much more than bricks and mortar—they’re about investing in communities and helping write the next chapter of their history.
Our three sons now all live in the Southeast—one in South Carolina and two in Georgia—and it’s especially rewarding to watch them tackle renovation projects of their own. We visit them whenever we can, and seeing the passion for building and creating passed on to the next generation has been one of the greatest rewards of this entire adventure.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth? Ha! That’s probably the easiest question to answer.
There is nothing smooth about renovating historic buildings. Every project comes with unexpected surprises, and usually not the fun kind. We’ve dealt with permitting challenges, hidden structural damage, outdated electrical and plumbing systems, financing hurdles, changing construction costs, and, at times, a lack of support or understanding from others. It often feels like the moment you solve one problem, another one is waiting behind the next wall you open.
That said, we’ve learned to expect the unexpected. Every obstacle has taught us something, and each challenge has made us better at what we do.
The biggest reason we’ve been successful is that Forrest and I approach every project as a team. We each bring different strengths to the table, and we’ve learned to trust one another through the difficult moments. We don’t always have the answers on day one, but we figure them out together.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We wear a lot of different hats, but my first and longest-running role has been as the local optometrist in Burns. I opened Family Eyecare of Harney County in 2004 after graduating from Pacific University College of Optometry in 2000. Forrest’s career with Coca-Cola initially took us to Texas, where we grew our family with our three boys—and eventually gained a “bonus daughter,” who started as the boys’ babysitter and has since become an irreplaceable part of our family. Returning to Burns allowed me to build a career serving the community where I grew up, and that has been incredibly rewarding.
That said, the Historic Central Hotel has become our passion project.
We specialize in creating boutique hospitality experiences that feel authentic, personal, and memorable. The hotel officially opened in the summer of 2018 after a 22-month, floor-to-ceiling restoration of a building that had sat vacant and deteriorating for more than two decades. Our goal was never simply to renovate an old hotel—it was to create an experience that guests would remember long after they checked out.
One of the things that sets us apart is the attention to detail. Forrest has an incredible talent for creating spaces that feel special. He incorporates thoughtful design elements throughout the property—details guests may not consciously notice, but somehow make the entire experience feel warm, intentional, and unforgettable. We often hear guests say they discover something new every time they visit.
Our guest experience is intentionally designed to be both independent and personal. We offer convenient self check-in for those who value privacy, while also making ourselves available whenever guests want recommendations, conversation, or a behind-the-scenes look at the property.
One of our favorite things to share is the Boiler Room Tour. When we’re in town and available, guests can explore one of the hotel’s most unique spaces while enjoying complimentary tastings from our private whiskey collection, which now includes more than 1,000 unique bottles. (You can sample most of them… but not all!)
Beyond the hotel itself, we’ve worked hard to create reasons for visitors to linger. Guests can relax on our peaceful back patio, enjoy our nine-hole putting course, or simply walk across the street to The Palace for food, drinks, shopping, and live music. Everything we’ve created is designed to encourage people to slow down and enjoy the experience.
Perhaps what we’re most proud of isn’t a building at all—it’s what these projects have helped create. Over the past decade, we’ve been intentionally investing in this little corner of frontier Oregon with the hope that Burns becomes more than a place to fuel up on the way to somewhere else. We want people to discover that it’s a destination worth spending time in, filled with history, character, and genuinely welcoming people. If visitors leave saying, “I never expected to find this here,” then we’ve accomplished exactly what we set out to do.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
DETAILS and intentionality
Pricing:
- $169+ tax for most of our guest rooms.
- $119 + tax for our smallest hostel style room
- “Hotel Takeovers’ starting at $1,500 for ALL guest rooms and event space
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.HistoricCentralHotel.com
- Instagram: @historiccentralhotel
