CITY BEAT
Anchorage, Alaska
Expansion Under Way
After years of planning, Anchorage broke ground last April on a $103 million expansion of the A. Egan Civic & Convention Center. The 215,000-square-foot space will be connected to both the existing center and the Alaska Performing Arts Center. It will include a 26,000-square-foot ballroom and 11,300 square feet of meeting space. Completion is slated for spring 2009.
Tulsa, Okla.
Doubling in Size
The Tulsa Convention Center is undergoing a renovation and is being supplemented by a new 18,000-seat arena, the Events Center, which will be connected to the convention facility by covered walkway. When completed in 2008, the new center, to be renamed the BOK Center for its patron, the Bank of Oklahoma, will include a 34,800-square-foot ballroom and 21,000 square feet of meeting space. In addition, the 62-room Best Western Tulsa and the 104-Hilton Garden Inn Tulsa South opened in 2005.
AZ, Scottsdale
The 126-room Hampton Inn
Scottsdale was sold to a developer this May who plans to
convert the hotel into InterContinental Hotel Group’s Hotel Indigo
flag.
FL, Tampa
Lowe Enterprises has acquired the
322-room Wyndham Westshore Hotel. The property
features a rooftop pool and terrace, a restaurant, a lobby lounge
and 12,500 square feet of meeting space. Extensive renovations are
expected to be completed by September 2007.
MA, Boston
The $204 million Westin Boston
Waterfront Hotel opens this month with 793 guest rooms and
32,000 square feet of meeting space. The property is attached to
the new Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on Summer
Street.
FRESH INTERIORS. The
Atlanta Marriott Marquis has unveiled a $38 million renovation that
gave all 1,675 guest rooms new bedding, wood furnishings, workspace
areas, bathroom fixtures and high-speed Internet. The property also
offers 120,000 square feet of meeting space, a connecting
indoor/outdoor pool, a fitness center and five restaurants. (404)
521-0000; www.marriott.com
MD, Baltimore
InterContinental Hotels Group opened
the 123-room Holiday Inn Express at Camden Yards
in April. The property has nearly 1,200 square feet of meeting
space.
NY, Albany
A new 133-room Homewood Suites
by Hilton opened in April. The five-story hotel features
residential-style studios and one- and two-bedroom suites, all with
fully equipped kitchens.
OH, Columbus
Marcus Hotels and Resorts has purchased
the 186-room Westin Columbus. Renovations will be
made to all guest rooms as well as dining areas. The property
features more than 11,000 square feet of meeting space.
PA, Philadelphia
The 757-room Sheraton
Philadelphia City Center Hotel is undergoing renovations
to its lobby and ballroom, while also replacing the furniture and
bedding in all guest rooms. The property has 55,000 square feet of
meeting space.
TX, Dallas
The W Dallas Victory Hotel
& Residences, opening this month, comprises two
towers, 251 guest rooms, 144 condominium units, a two-story living
room lobby, a signature restaurant and a spa. The downtown property
offers 11,000 square feet of meeting space.
TX, Lost Pines
Set amidst 405 wooded acres 20 miles
outside Austin, the 492-room Hyatt Regency Lost Pines
Resort and Spa, is set to open this month with almost
300,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor meeting space.
The resort also offers 18 holes of golf, river rafting and a
full-service spa facility, among other amenities.