I posted the Plain Dealers version of this article in the random developments thread but this one has more information. Also, with so many new possible hotels, I think its time there is a thread dedicated to the topic.

 

Joint venture plans $64 million makeover of Crowne Plaza in downtown Cleveland

A joint venture of Sage Hospitality of Denver and Optima Management Co. of Miami this afternoon said it plans a $64 million renovation of the Crowne Plaza Cleveland City Centre hotel to convert it to a Westin hotel after buying the property on Wednesday.

 

Sage, which will manage the hotel at 777 E. St. Clair Ave., said it will close the property in mid-November for the massive renovation and reopen it under the luxury Westin flag in July 2013. That timetable means the hotel should reopen shortly before the scheduled completion of the Cleveland Medical Mart and Convention Center across East Sixth Street from the hotel.

 

Ken Geist, executive vice president and partner of Sage, told a Cleveland City Council committee on Sept. 27 that the developers will remove its brick exterior. Architects have not yet decided how to redo the outside of the property.

 

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20111006/FREE/111009906

i feel like there is a hotel thing on here somewhere.

I posted the PD article; I could not find a hotel thread.

 

Removing the brick exterior = good.

What's wrong with the brick exterior? I hope the replacement will not be something cheaper and inferior to the brick. This has lasted a loooong time ans still looks pretty darn good.  I hope it is nothing light or prone to stain. Any white or light exteriors will likely get dirty...and look crappy just like Dollar Bank's terrible choice to paint the S.W. corner of the Galleria white...looking unfinished with stain trails already present, especially on the lower areas which are more prone to receiving dirt and grime from the street and after winter.  I also hope some signage goes up during the process so as to not look like nothing is happening. The Scofield thing, even with the scaffolding on, cannot fool me because it has sat waiting so long.

A $64M infusion into downtown by private developer's is hard to complain about.  Great news!

 

Westin is a classy brand, I have complete confidence they will do a nice job with the property.

John Hartness Brown was rumored to be a Westin. Wonder if that will be a hotel now.

^Yeah...what's happening with that...it was announced a short while ago...  Is that project dead?

That was discussed in the other thread.  JHB is actually very much a live.  They are pushing for a Le Meridian for that spot now (another Starwood).   

Even though not a W or St. Regis, I'll take a Le Meridien since they are run by the same person!

 

Finally some Starwood love in Cleveland!  The Queens will love that in 2014!

 

Where does this leave the Schoefield?

that building is just hideous looking can't wait to see what new facade they will finally go with.

If I correctly recall, when the hotel was initially built, the adhesive used for attaching the "brick facade" was an inferior DuPont product which required a complete re-do and a huge lawsuit.

This is huge cause I remember reading awhile back that only like 100 rooms were usable and only like one elevator works as well. This will give the building some really needed TLC. And a new exterior is a plus. That building is ugly!

 

What about the School District HQ ? Is that still considered as a potential hotel conversion?

 

Where does this leave the Schoefield?

 

I think that is supposed to be a Kimpton Hotel. As far as I know, that is still the case.

I wonder if the hotel developers are getting worried with the news and confusion going on about the medical mart

I wonder if the hotel developers are getting worried with the news and confusion going on about the medical mart

 

A $64 million investment is a funny way to show it.

I wonder if the hotel developers are getting worried with the news and confusion going on about the medical mart

 

A $64 million investment is a funny way to show it.

 

I agree, we need that property and brand regardless.

This is great news!  Per the Crains article, a big chunk of the investment is coming from the same source that financed much of the FEB project by "selling" U.S. visas to international investors:

 

Optima has made most of its Cleveland investments in cash. Mr. Schochet said obtaining a commitment for $36 million from the Cleveland International Fund was key to undertaking the project. Cleveland businessman Eddy Zai operates the fund.

 

I wonder if the hotel developers are getting worried with the news and confusion going on about the medical mart

 

No matter how the med mart turns out, we're getting a new casino and a new convention center, which should offer a nice uptick in hotel business.

 

 

 

 

This is great news!  Per the Crains article, a big chunk of the investment is coming from the same source that financed much of the FEB project by "selling" U.S. visas to international investors:

 

Optima has made most of its Cleveland investments in cash. Mr. Schochet said obtaining a commitment for $36 million from the Cleveland International Fund was key to undertaking the project. Cleveland businessman Eddy Zai operates the fund.

 

I wonder if the hotel developers are getting worried with the news and confusion going on about the medical mart

 

No matter how the med mart turns out, we're getting a new casino and a new convention center, which should offer a nice uptick in hotel business.

 

 

 

 

 

Exactly and we need a more diversified hotel portfolio to get leisure travelers to pick Cleveland over another city.  And Starwood has brands (W Hotels, Le Meridien and Upper tier Westins) that appeal to 30-40 somethings and GLBT audiences.

I stared at that awful exterior for years outside my office window. It is one of the worst looking buildings in town after the Justice Center! ;-)

What's wrong with the brick exterior? I hope the replacement will not be something cheaper and inferior to the brick. This has lasted a loooong time ans still looks pretty darn good.  I hope it is nothing light or prone to stain. Any white or light exteriors will likely get dirty...and look crappy just like Dollar Bank's terrible choice to paint the S.W. corner of the Galleria white...looking unfinished with stain trails already present, especially on the lower areas which are more prone to receiving dirt and grime from the street and after winter.  I also hope some signage goes up during the process so as to not look like nothing is happening. The Scofield thing, even with the scaffolding on, cannot fool me because it has sat waiting so long.

 

The current facade, I assume, is lacking the windows Westin would prefer.  If I had to guess, we will see a steel and glass facade, which may go very well with the new facade planned for the Federal building in the end.  I also hope they look into the possibility of balconies.  I say let's wait until they show some concepts before automatically assuming (in a very Cleveland woe is me way) that it will be a downgrade.  It is not like this is one of those red brick facades with details worthy of historic preservation.

I'm trying to sort out all the hotel projects. Did/does the talk of CMSD HQ include possible conversion to a hotel if indeed CMSD does sell the building?

^CMSD has begun exploring the sale of its HQ property, but everything else about that property (i.e., possible buyers, new uses) has been speculation based on its location and lay-out.

I'm trying to sort out all the hotel projects. Did/does the talk of CMSD HQ include possible conversion to a hotel if indeed CMSD does sell the building?

 

That was expected to be the likely use if it was put on the market and sold to a developer, due to past interest and its prime location.  Theres no telling when they decide, if there will be room for another or not, depending of course how many others pan out.     

Another great thing in the Crain's piece about the Crowne Plaza to Westin project:

 

The makeover also will create a restaurant on the northeast corner of East Sixth and St. Clair closest to the new convention center.

 

 

I hadn't noticed this before, but in the PD version of this article, Le Meridien is specifically mentioned as a possibiity for the John Hartness Brown bldg: [Oops, sorry, I somehow missed those posts above]

 

As mentioned above, per the PD article:

 

The Crowne Plaza was one of two downtown hotel projects chasing a Westin flag. The other, the renovation of the old John Hartness Brown Building on Euclid Avenue, has not disappeared.

 

A group of investors in New York, California and Colorado quietly took control of the dilapidated complex, at 1001-1021 Euclid Ave., a few months ago. Documents related to city and state assistance for the project identified the potential hotel as a Westin.

 

But Starwood Hotels and Resorts, the parent company of Westin, recently approached the investors about another flag - Le Meridien, an upscale brand with more than 100 hotels globally but just seven in the United States.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/10/crowne_plaza_in_downtown_cleve.html

Don't know if CMSD's building will become a hotel, but whatever happens I hope our (much criticized) Landmarks Commission watches it very carefully w/r to any proposed alterations... CMSD (opened around 1931 or 2) is the last, and in my opinion most beautiful, public building completed pursuant to Daniel Burnham's amazing Mall Group plan of 1903.

I like the balcony idea Hts121.

GREAT NEWS! This building could really use an update, and the investment is also good to know.

First renderings of the Westin conversion will be presented to the Landmarks Commission Nov. 10 agenda.....

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2011/11102011/index.php

 

 

 

 

 

Hmmm, OK. I wasn't expecting anything groundbreaking. But it is such an oddly shaped building I don't see how you can do much more. Would love to see it demoed and start from scratch but that's not happening for 64m. Trying to figure out what's going on in the lower part of the building, like floors 2 thru 5. Can't tell if that's windows or some kind of screen material. But yeah it looks fine to me, more importantly it will be thoroughly renovated by the time the MM/CC opens. It should be very busy. Can anyone read the architects sig. it looks like DA or something.

I think that's pretty good given the existing building.

Not a fan of the renderings. The old and the new frontage have no cohesion.  I definitely see no relationship to the historic burnham mall architecture.  The hotel definitely needs to be renovated. I am happy to see the interiors upgraded. I think the architects need to refine the facade plans.

Nice of them to use my photo in that 2nd slide without asking permission. Time to make a few phone calls :-)

 

 

^ How do you know someone else didnt happen to be up there the same day at the same time taking pictures? :P

Trying to figure out what's going on in the lower part of the building, like floors 2 thru 5. Can't tell if that's windows or some kind of screen material.

 

That's the parking garage so screening material or structure of some nature.

Has anyone heard anything about the Hyatt at the Arcade?  I stayed there this summer and the rooms are starting to look a bit tattered and still have big tube tv's.  Then I read a review on (I think) hotels.com where someone said the same thing and that it was rumored Hyatt was looking for a buyer and wasn't doing any updating.  The rooms don't look terribly dated yet, just kinda worn carpet and stuff....and in a brand like that you'd expect an updated TV (the bulky tv in an armoire does the most to date it to the 90's). 

 

This Westin will be a welcome addition for sure!

It should be very busy. Can anyone read the architects sig. it looks like DA or something.

 

DA Architects + Planners http://da-architects.ca/

 

 

Nice of them to use my photo in that 2nd slide without asking permission. Time to make a few phone calls :-)

 

 

 

Pretty lazy of them. How hard is it to send an e-mail to someone? Probably takes the same amount of time as it does to crop out "@2006, clevelandskyscrapers.com - All Rights Reserved"!!

Has anyone heard anything about the Hyatt at the Arcade?  I stayed there this summer and the rooms are starting to look a bit tattered and still have big tube tv's.  Then I read a review on (I think) hotels.com where someone said the same thing and that it was rumored Hyatt was looking for a buyer and wasn't doing any updating.  The rooms don't look terribly dated yet, just kinda worn carpet and stuff....and in a brand like that you'd expect an updated TV (the bulky tv in an armoire does the most to date it to the 90's). 

 

This Westin will be a welcome addition for sure!

Has anyone heard anything about the Hyatt at the Arcade?  I stayed there this summer and the rooms are starting to look a bit tattered and still have big tube tv's.  Then I read a review on (I think) hotels.com where someone said the same thing and that it was rumored Hyatt was looking for a buyer and wasn't doing any updating.  The rooms don't look terribly dated yet, just kinda worn carpet and stuff....and in a brand like that you'd expect an updated TV (the bulky tv in an armoire does the most to date it to the 90's). 

 

This Westin will be a welcome addition for sure!

 

Not necessarily true.  Hyatt Regencys are middle of the road in the Hyatt ecosystem.  Hotels.com along with trip advisor is a rumor mill.

Has anyone heard anything about the Hyatt at the Arcade?  I stayed there this summer and the rooms are starting to look a bit tattered and still have big tube tv's.  Then I read a review on (I think) hotels.com where someone said the same thing and that it was rumored Hyatt was looking for a buyer and wasn't doing any updating.  The rooms don't look terribly dated yet, just kinda worn carpet and stuff....and in a brand like that you'd expect an updated TV (the bulky tv in an armoire does the most to date it to the 90's). 

 

This Westin will be a welcome addition for sure!

 

The Hyatt Regency here in downtown Cincinnati has the same issues and I think is much, much more dated than the Cleveland location and their occupancy is typically quite high to my understanding. Not sure what occupancy is like at the Arcade...

Trying to figure out what's going on in the lower part of the building, like floors 2 thru 5.

I thought that was all parking garage.

The architect is LDA Architects from Cleveland Heights

First renderings of the Westin conversion will be presented to the Landmarks Commission Nov. 10 agenda.....

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2011/11102011/index.php

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty nice job considering what they have to work with.

 

Trying to figure out what's going on in the lower part of the building, like floors 2 thru 5.

I thought that was all parking garage.

 

Yes, it is a garage.

It might make no sense if the property would remain unmarketable.  There's a practically-empty tower right across the street.  Eaton and Huntington are about to clear out even more of that general area.  Our "financial district" needs to diversify.  Any possible full-building conversion to residential should get a good look, and if it's at all feasible, should get a high priority in local development subsidies.  That plan should already be in place, and the city should be actively promoting it.  These are high rises with huge windows and lake views.  And they're already built.     

 

I think we should be looking at hotels with the convention center opening soon and lots of hi caliber events to take place.  You cannot sell/market those events or add new events, without having the infrastructure.

It might make no sense if the property would remain unmarketable.  There's a practically-empty tower right across the street.  Eaton and Huntington are about to clear out even more of that general area.  Our "financial district" needs to diversify.  Any possible full-building conversion to residential should get a good look, and if it's at all feasible, should get a high priority in local development subsidies.  That plan should already be in place, and the city should be actively promoting it.  These are high rises with huge windows and lake views.  And they're already built.     

 

I think we should be looking at hotels with the convention center opening soon and lots of hi caliber events to take place.  You cannot sell/market those events or add new events, without having the infrastructure.

 

Dont forget about all the hotels either underway or planned.

 

Flats east bank

Westin in the old Crown Plaza

John Hartness Brown buildings

Schofield

Possibly the Board of Education building

 

Am I missing any others?

It might make no sense if the property would remain unmarketable.  There's a practically-empty tower right across the street.  Eaton and Huntington are about to clear out even more of that general area.  Our "financial district" needs to diversify.  Any possible full-building conversion to residential should get a good look, and if it's at all feasible, should get a high priority in local development subsidies.  That plan should already be in place, and the city should be actively promoting it.  These are high rises with huge windows and lake views.  And they're already built.     

 

I think we should be looking at hotels with the convention center opening soon and lots of hi caliber events to take place.  You cannot sell/market those events or add new events, without having the infrastructure.

 

Dont forget about all the hotels either underway or planned.

 

Flats east bank

Westin in the old Crown Plaza

John Hartness Brown buildings

Schofield

Possibly the Board of Education building

 

Am I missing any others?

 

I'm want to see concrete plans.  The Aloft, and Westin are the only properties confirmed.  AND we still do not have a "convention" size property, nor a mix of brands/loyalty programs.  We are way behind the 8 ball with this.

I'm want to see concrete plans.  The Aloft, and Westin are the only properties confirmed.  AND we still do not have a "convention" size property, nor a mix of brands/loyalty programs.  We are way behind the 8 ball with this.

 

Sure we have a mix of brands, pretty much everyone's low end flag.  Except Marriot.

I see the new Westin as a "Convention Size" hotel, and a decent brand:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/10/crowne_plaza_in_downtown_cleve.html

 

472 rooms gets the ball rolling.

I see the new Westin as a "Convention Size" hotel, and a decent brand:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/10/crowne_plaza_in_downtown_cleve.html

 

472 rooms gets the ball rolling.

 

472 is not a convention sized hotel.  Convention sized hotels, not including Vegas or AC, typically have more than 700/750 rooms (all configurations) and can offer (configurable) meeting space for more than 650 people in more than one space.

 

Examples:

Marriott Philadelphia

Renaissance Washington DC

Hyatt Chicago

Sheraton Chicago

Marriot Marquis Atlanta

Westin Atlanta

Omni Atlanta

Hilton Atlanta

Sheraton New Orleans

Hilton New Orleans

Harrah's New Orleans

Sheraton Philadelphia

Loews Philadelphia

Grand Hyatt San Diego

Hilton Americas Houston

Westin Copley Boston

Westin Bonaventure

I'm want to see concrete plans.  The Aloft, and Westin are the only properties confirmed.  AND we still do not have a "convention" size property, nor a mix of brands/loyalty programs.  We are way behind the 8 ball with this.

 

Sure we have a mix of brands, pretty much everyone's low end flag.  Except Marriot.

We have low end, as you said but we don't have a mix from a consumer stand point.

 

In Cleveland (downtown specifically)  if you're a Marriott loyalist, you can do ok.  Granted we don't have JW Marriott or Marriott Marquis.

 

If I'm Starwood (W, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin [speak as of today]) I'm screwed!

 

We're missing a lot of brands from a business traveler perspective, convention host perspective and leisure traveler perspective.

 

If I'm a Hilton person where am I going to stay?  The Garden Inn, Embassy Suites or Double Tree.  We have no full service Hilton, Conrad or Waldorf=Astoria.

 

We have above average Whyndham.

 

If I want an InterContinental Brand I can only stay in UC.

 

What about?:

Best Western (the largest operator of hotels in the world)

Choice privileges

Fairmont

Omni

Pennisula

Swissotel

Mandarin

Four Seasons

Loews

Kimpton

 

I know listing the others is a stretch, but we don't even have the majors covered.

 

If I'm a corporate planner I'm going to first look at Hilton, Starwood, Marriott & Hyatt (Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt, ) since they are the major players.  We don't have brand diversity.  If I'm a planner with people coming from all parts of just the States, Cleveland doesn't even get a look because we don't have the portfolio.  PERIOD.

 

If I'm a leisure traveler, let say gay.  We don't have any brands that are target gay friendly such as the W (huge gay target audience), Westin [as of today], Andaz [launched to compete with the W], or Palomar.

 

If I'm a 30 something leisure traveler who is in Cleveland for Business and wants to extend my stay (solo or so my family can join me), I can't stay and use points for a night/additional nights at a Westin, Park or Grand Hyatt, Conrad, Sofitel, Loews.  Nor an urban Hilton, Sheraton, Raddison or Marriott.  We get screwed.

 

The city needs to start building hotels or renovation building and turning them into hotels today!  If we don't redoing the Convention Center will be a waste!