The Denver-based group wants to add at least 100 rooms andrenovate the facility's rooms, built in three parts over the last66 years. As a dedicated conference center with 5,446 sf of meetingspace, recognized by the International Association of ConferenceCenters, the facility lacks new telecommunications technology.Aspen and Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, its adviser, have not named aprice for the renovations or an equity investment.

"It depends on somebody's vision," says Mark Vollmer, seniorvice president of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. The expansion wouldgive it a higher profile to attract corporate users and let itoperate more efficiently, Vollmer says.

Located on 1,138 acres of forest and farmland in Queenstown, MD,70 miles from Washington, DC, the site was once an estate known asWye Plantation. William Paca, a signatory on the Declaration ofIndependence and Maryland's third governor, maintained his familyestate here. Arthur Houghton built Houghton House there in 1934.Wye Woods, the second portion, was built in the '60s and '70s. Thefinal section, River House, was built in 1989 as a conferencecenter for Northern Telecom.The site was donated to Aspen Institutein 1979, and is currently managed by Marriott for Aspen.