Cleveland's Ritz-Carlton gets even ritzier in complete remodel

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland's swankiest hotel just got even swankier, after a top-to-bottom renovation that touched everything from floor to ceiling.The Ritz Carlton celebrates its transformation - hotel officials declined to reveal its cost - at a grand reopening today. In fact, the hotel, which opened in 1991, was never closed during the renovation, which started about 15 months ago.It's the first major renovation at the hotel, the go-to choice in Cleveland for touring musicians, professional athletes and well-heeled business travelers. Room rates start at $399 a night.

Downtown Hilton exceeding expectations. http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2018/02/cuyahoga_countys_hilton_cleveland_downtown_hotel_exceeding_expectations.html

from the article cited above:

 

"The county hired Massachusetts-based CHMWarnick to manage the assets of the hotel. The hotel's operating fund paid for the three-year, $675,000 contract with the company. The company oversees property management and financial performance..........

 

According to information from Hilton in 2014, the initial fee for a new Hilton hotel was $75,000, plus $400 for each additional guest room or suite over 250.

 

Monthly payments include a royalty fee of 5 percent and program fee of 4 percent, both from monthly gross rooms revenue, the Hilton information said. A monthly fee is 3 percent of food and beverage revenue."

 

How does this work? The County owns the hotel, hires a management company (for only $200k a year?) which sets the prices and other details and Hilton just operates it? Or does it Hilton run it as a business and takes a cut? what does the 'management company' do?  Just trying to figure out who does what, including the owner.

It's just like the Intercontinental at the Cleveland Clinic. The staff upholds Hilton brand standards, Hilton take their managing cut,  and the rest goes to the county. Really they are payong paying for the right to fly the Hilton flag and access their reservation network. 

 

The horseshoe was also an example of this system, but then losing the branding and becoming the JACK

^In this particular case, I think Hilton might operate the hotel, so are more than just the flag.

 

And I'm guessing CHMWarnick is just the "asset manager," which means they manage the county's ownership, i.e., accounting/reporting, but aren't involved in the business of the hotel operation.

At the time of our last rush for Downtown Hotel Development ( RNC Convention )  Hilton, Drury, Westin, Schofield 

There was talk of 5 possible future Hotel Developments:  1)  Rock & Roll Boutique  2). 925 Building  3). John Hartness Brown

4). Nucleus 5) Nautica West Bank.

Since that time there has been 3 more rumors/rumblings: 1) Hotel on W. St Clair 2) Ohio Bell Building 3) Fidelity Building

With ONLY the JOHN HARTNESS building dropping out. 

How many of these 7 to you think gets built/developed?

 

 

 

 

Funding is basically already secured for Ohio Bell, with the historic tax credits just obtained they will most likely aim for a hasty re-purpose within the next year.

In the next 2-3 years, I'd say at most one, either 925 Euclid or the Ohio Bell building. The others who knows if we're looking at a 5+ year timeline.

 

4 minutes ago, tastybunns said:

Funding is basically already secured for Ohio Bell, with the historic tax credits just obtained they will most likely aim for a hasty re-purpose within the next year.

 

Quite a few projects languish for years after securing the tax credits.

11 hours ago, tastybunns said:

Funding is basically already secured for Ohio Bell, with the historic tax credits just obtained they will most likely aim for a hasty re-purpose within the next year.

 

I'm guessing that the Canopy Hotel project is a replacement for the earlier proposal of a hotel in NuCLEus, with the athletic market at the Q and Prog. Field being the driver.  Hence, the reason for speed.

And is the hotel at the Euclid Grand (JHB Buildings) actually dead? Alto's materials still show an AC Hotel by Marriott in them. Or are these out of date?

 

http://www.hannacre.com/uploads/media/cle-flyers/EuclidGrand_InfoPackage.pdf

We have seen a few new hotels in Midtown / Cleveland Clinic area getting built this past 1-2 years.  It’s been fairly quiet on here, but they are brand name additions. 

Regarding the construction recently begun at those five vacant buildings between 925 Euclid and the Statler Building - is this the long-envisioned hotel , etc?  Or is this just some stabilization thing again?

41 minutes ago, lafont said:

Regarding the construction recently begun at those five vacant buildings between 925 Euclid and the Statler Building - is this the long-envisioned hotel , etc?  Or is this just some stabilization thing again?

Those collectively make up the John Hartness Brown Building. It’s currently being restored and will be apartments with ground floor retail. An AC Marriott Hotel has been shown in renderings but never truly announced. At one time this was to be a Le Meridien hotel but that fell through due to the legal issues of the former owner. 

9 hours ago, lafont said:

Regarding the construction recently begun at those five vacant buildings between 925 Euclid and the Statler Building - is this the long-envisioned hotel , etc?  Or is this just some stabilization thing again?

Many of your questions regarding this project would be answered if you took some time and looked over the John Hartness Brown Building thread.

Edited December 16, 20186 yr by Htsguy

So this article is over a month old now...

 

https://www.cleveland.com/business/2018/12/nine-northeast-ohio-projects-including-downtown-cleveland-hotels-land-state-historic-tax-credits.html

 

Does anyone have any info on the Ohio Bell building hotel remake supposedly starting in the spring!?

 

Also, The Fidelity/Baker building (1940 E. 6th) was awarded tax credits to become a mystery hotel? any new info on this?

 

on a side note, I can't help but get excited as 2 more "office" buildings become non-office! Time for a new build office tower!

These projects are discussed in other threads. You can find them by using the website's search function.

Is it possible that now that Cleveland has been awarded the NFL Draft in 2021 that either the Ohio Bell Building  Or

the Fidelity Baker Building gets started on their Hotel projects.

Or how about that rumored Dream Hotel coming to the current Stark Enterprises Bldg/

14 hours ago, simplythis said:

Is it possible that now that Cleveland has been awarded the NFL Draft in 2021 that either the Ohio Bell Building  Or

the Fidelity Baker Building gets started on their Hotel projects.

Or how about that rumored Dream Hotel coming to the current Stark Enterprises Bldg/

Very good point. We could definitely see an increase in hotel development because of the draft. They would have to begin construction within the next couple of months though if they want it to be complete in time.

I bet Stark is pissed that he took the Hotel portion out of NuCLEus now ??

On ‎5‎/‎23‎/‎2019 at 11:33 PM, simplythis said:

Is it possible that now that Cleveland has been awarded the NFL Draft in 2021 that either the Ohio Bell Building  Or

the Fidelity Baker Building gets started on their Hotel projects.

Or how about that rumored Dream Hotel coming to the current Stark Enterprises Bldg/

 

19 hours ago, CLE_Millennial said:

Very good point. We could definitely see an increase in hotel development because of the draft. They would have to begin construction within the next couple of months though if they want it to be complete in time.

With everything that goes into a development  (financing, planning, approvals, contracting) among other things to worry about when putting a project together I doubt that a single event (not even a yearly event) over the course of a couple of days is going to be much of a factor (but I think you guys really know that).

 

The renovation of the Q (or what ever it is called) and the mere fact of Nucleus across the street are obviously what the Ohio Bell developers are focusing on.

Edited May 25, 20196 yr by Htsguy

1 hour ago, MyPhoneDead said:

I bet Stark is pissed that he took the Hotel portion out of NuCLEus now ??

 

Only if new brands are looking to come here,  which they aren't. Even if nuCLEus starts on time in late July or early August, it's still not going to be done in time for all of these big, upcoming events.

BTW, if the convention center is expanded, that may be enough to attract or directly involve the development of a new hotel like this....

 

Edited May 25, 20196 yr by KJP

39 minutes ago, KJP said:

BTW, if the convention center is expanded, that may be enough to attract or directly involve the development of a new hotel like this....

 

Not if the FAA has anything to say about it... It's almost in direct fire of the the Airport.

It's 2,000 feet south of the glide path. Progressive Insurance was planning a 60-story tower in almost the exact same spot in 1990 until Peter Lewis told Mike White to f--- off.

3 hours ago, KJP said:

It's 2,000 feet south of the glide path. Progressive Insurance was planning a 60-story tower in almost the exact same spot in 1990 until Peter Lewis told Mike White to f--- off.

 

I forget what the dispute was that caused Progressive not to move forward with it.  Didn’t they want the city to pay for a parking garage or something?

Don't know. Point is, the site of the hotel shown in the rendering above is 2,800 feet from the end of the runway and 2,000 feet south of Burke's west line of approach. A plane would have to make a 90-degree vector immediately after taking off from Burke in order to hit the hotel. Ain't happening.

 

4 hours ago, JohnSummit said:

 

I forget what the dispute was that caused Progressive not to move forward with it.  Didn’t they want the city to pay for a parking garage or something?

Something about the new tower blocking views of the lake , I thought

On 5/25/2019 at 4:58 PM, KJP said:

Don't know. Point is, the site of the hotel shown in the rendering above is 2,800 feet from the end of the runway and 2,000 feet south of Burke's west line of approach. A plane would have to make a 90-degree vector immediately after taking off from Burke in order to hit the hotel. Ain't happening.

 

 

Don't forget about planes approaching Hopkins as well. That was a consideration in the EY Tower in the Flats.

7 hours ago, Mov2Ohio said:

 

Don't forget about planes approaching Hopkins as well. That was a consideration in the EY Tower in the Flats.

 

Where are you getting this information?   The inbound flights to CLE cross over BKL Class D airspace at at least 3000 MSL (which is the floor of the CLE Class B airspace).  

I assure you that the approach to CLE was not a factor in the EY Tower.   It could have played a factor in the BKL airspace, but only in the distance from the runway centerline as the EY tower is already as high as any approach to runway 6L and 6R. 

12 hours ago, Cleburger said:

 

Where are you getting this information?   The inbound flights to CLE cross over BKL Class D airspace at at least 3000 MSL (which is the floor of the CLE Class B airspace).  

I assure you that the approach to CLE was not a factor in the EY Tower.   It could have played a factor in the BKL airspace, but only in the distance from the runway centerline as the EY tower is already as high as any approach to runway 6L and 6R. 

From the developer of the project.

Hotels to benefit from MLB All Star Game. https://www.cleveland19.com/2019/07/05/hotels-benefit-mlb-all-star-game-look-longer-term-benefits/

On 5/27/2019 at 2:41 AM, Cleburger said:

 

Where are you getting this information?   The inbound flights to CLE cross over BKL Class D airspace at at least 3000 MSL (which is the floor of the CLE Class B airspace).  

I assure you that the approach to CLE was not a factor in the EY Tower.   It could have played a factor in the BKL airspace, but only in the distance from the runway centerline as the EY tower is already as high as any approach to runway 6L and 6R. 

I tend to agree, La Guardia comes to mind...but maybe the approach and altitudes are different?

I don't have much information on this, hence no blog article, but I'm hearing that the Ohio Bell Building will be a Curio Collection by Hilton, not Hilton's Canopy brand. And I'm told that the property's sale should close next week. Hopefully this will bring some life to a pretty dead street (except during evening sporting events). Here's some photos I took of this Art Deco beauty yesterday...

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 16, 20195 yr by KJP

Wonderful news! It will be nice to see lights shining through the windows of my favorite Cleveland skyscraper again. 

^Yep. Fantastic news. The most beautiful building in downtown. Even with the AT&T exchange bunker bolted on the side. 

Very curious to see more detail on this. The hotel that was going to be part of 925 Euclid was also a Curio. I wonder if that has changed. 

This is great news. I think it is time for for a new ATT Building thread.

The moderator will have to merge things together as most of the initial news

on this ATT building is in the gateway development thread.

3 hours ago, KJP said:

 I'm hearing that the Ohio Bell Building will be a Curio Collection by Hilton, not Hilton's Canopy brand.

 

 

As I understand Hilton's brands, Curio is a step up from Canopy - a higher price point and more traditional hotel services (4 or 5 star category). Canopy is a fancier Hampton Inn with restaurant and bar service - aimed at a youthful professional clientel. In Cleveland, either location (AT&T or 925 Euclid) probably could have assumed either branding; but the sports crowd (AT&T site) probably has more disposable income. 

 

Diff. subj:  Fair to say that the AT&T hotel is what eliminated the hotel component of NuCLEus?

Great news! I’d love to see some world class ornamentation/lighting done to the top of this beauty.  This tower has a classic  elegance and it would be awesome to see it become an upscale hotel address. 

4 hours ago, roman totale XVII said:

^Yep. Fantastic news. The most beautiful building in downtown. Even with the AT&T exchange bunker bolted on the side. 

Just seeing that abhorrent AT&T signage removed for good will make my heart leap! ?

1 hour ago, Dougal said:

 

As I understand Hilton's brands, Curio is a step up from Canopy - a higher price point and more traditional hotel services (4 or 5 star category). Canopy is a fancier Hampton Inn with restaurant and bar service - aimed at a youthful professional clientel. In Cleveland, either location (AT&T or 925 Euclid) probably could have assumed either branding; but the sports crowd (AT&T site) probably has more disposable income. 

 

Diff. subj:  Fair to say that the AT&T hotel is what eliminated the hotel component of NuCLEus?

 

I think "value engineering" eliminated the hotel from nuCLEus.

@KJP did you happen to hear anymore about the Ohio Bell Building- if the sale closed?

8 minutes ago, mrclifton88 said:

@KJP did you happen to hear anymore about the Ohio Bell Building- if the sale closed?

 

Nothing new.

Note that Cleveland was ranked in the top 50 cities as a destination city for meetings.

 

And where is the 21c Museum Hotel development? 

 

 

Edited August 23, 20195 yr by KJP

^ Yeah that is interesting. And it would look great at 925. Although those most recent plans didn't include a hotel. But it sounds like something they would be interested in.

That would be pretty cool to have in Cleveland- they are very unique properties.  I have never heard of one being proposed for Cleveland before... interesting!  

The Hulett Hotel??? First I’ve heard of it. Looks like an awesome project.

 

http://www.redhousearchitecture.org/hullet-hotel

Edited August 23, 20195 yr by marty15

One Lakewood Place has never had a hotel associated with it. @KJP you hear anything otherwise?

2 hours ago, marty15 said:

The Hulett Hotel??? First I’ve heard of it. Looks like an awesome project.

 

http://www.redhousearchitecture.org/hullet-hotel

The developer has been working on the Hulett Hotel for a year or more now, he also owns the youth hostel on West 25 near Lorain Avenue.

6 hours ago, marty15 said:

One Lakewood Place has never had a hotel associated with it. @KJP you hear anything otherwise?

 

No, I was surprised to see that too. Probably a good idea to build one since the Day's Inn and the Travelodge are for sale...but for pretty ridiculous prices.