Eighty-seven years ago tomorrow, laborers were in the early stages of removing buildings on High Street to make way for the grand hotel that would take their place. The Eastland Hotel was once the largest in New England, catering to the likes of Charles Lindbergh after his solo flight across the Atlantic.

Construction is once again underway on High Street. Purchased in 2011 by Starwood Hotels and Resorts for its Westin brand, much of the Eastland has been stripped down to its original brick and steel in a significant historic renovation project. It will re-open as the Westin Portland Harborview in the spring of 2014.

View more images of the Eastland Hotel and its construction here.