Construction is underway on 18 new luxury cabins near Silverwood Theme Park in Athol, Idaho, marking the next phase of a $13.5 million development designed to enhance lodging options in the area.
The project, known as BumbleBee Travel Center, is being developed by Coeur d’Alene businessman Kelvin Shin through his company, ID Pur-Pose LLC.
Shin envisions transforming 10 acres of previously undeveloped property into what he describes as a self-contained community complete with its own utility systems.
Situated at 6067 E. Bunco Road, just south of U.S. 95 and steps away from Silverwood, the property’s first phase wrapped up earlier this year. That stage included an 8,300-square-foot convenience store, a 76-brand fuel station, and a restaurant space that has yet to be leased.
The second phase focuses on building 18 stand-alone cabins expected to open by June 2026. Located on a 5 1/2-acre parcel adjoining the travel center, the cabins aim to provide guests with higher-end accommodations while keeping them close to the region’s most popular attraction.
Shin, 62, says a third development phase is already on the drawing board for 2027. That portion would bring another 25 cabins to a neighboring five-acre lot east of the current site, although final cost estimates have not been released.
The inspiration for the project came after noticing a lack of modern lodging along the busy corridor connecting Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene.
Guests will be able to reach Silverwood’s entrance by a paved walkway connecting directly to the theme park, making the cabins an appealing option for families and visitors.
Construction work is being handled by Spokane-based Baker Construction & Development Inc. and Hayden-based Buddy’s Backhoe Service Inc.
The architectural design comes from ML Architect & Associates Inc. in Post Falls, while Pacific NW Pump & Process Inc. of Roosevelt, Washington, is providing industrial pumping and related equipment.
Each cabin will include a 16-foot ceiling, 544 square feet of main floor space, and an additional loft of roughly 200 square feet accessed via a spiral staircase. Units will feature private driveways, patios, and picnic tables for guests seeking greater seclusion.
“Over here, you have privacy, your own backyard, your own driveway,” Shin said, as reported by Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business on November 6. “(Guests) could have their own gathering and roast marshmallows.”
Work on BumbleBee Travel Center began in 2017, following two years of rezoning efforts and extensive site preparation. Shin says the property initially lacked key infrastructure, requiring installation of complete water and sewer systems before construction could proceed.