A change is coming to the Eastsound shoreline, and it began with the demolition of a waterfront cottage on Wednesday, Sept. 20. The land and building are owned by the Outlook Inn.

“Our plan is to build five small hotel suites, basically on the same footprint as the cottage was on as well as the parking area,” said manager Sara Farish. “The view that people have had will be pretty much the same.”

The cottage, built in 1909, had a log foundation and was beyond repair. Local architect Christopher Rost has designed a four-suite building to be constructed in the general footprint of the old building. Outlook Inn has submitted plans to the Eastsound Planning Review Committee for review and has been granted a shoreline permit and approval by the county to build.

“It’s gonna be really beautiful. I think it’s going to be an improvement to the whole feel,” said Farish, adding that construction will likely not be concluded until 2019.