old news but in the news today none the less.
Swissotel Chicago Announces Expansion Plan
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...4570112&EDATE=
CHICAGO, IL UNITED STATES 04/19/2007
CHICAGO, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned for its architecture and
location, the AAA Four-Diamond Swissotel Chicago is proud to announce a $47
million meeting and conference expansion plan, which will further enhance
its high profile status in Chicago. "This expansion will essentially change
the entire dynamic of the hotel by doubling the amount of meeting space,
allowing the property to compete for extensive meeting business," stated
Thomas Klein, Swissotel's vice president business development, The
Americas.
(Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070420/AQF025 )
The 632-room property, located at 323 East Wacker Drive, will undergo
an expansion plan comprised of 50,000 square feet of meeting space
including a state-of-the-art 15,000 square foot ballroom. "The additional
meeting space, scheduled to open in June, 2009, in conjunction with the
current meeting space will render Swissotel Chicago as the ideal meeting
headquarter venue, whether it is an executive meeting for 15 or a
convention for 1,500," added Klein.
Swissotel Chicago's new facilities will be designed without pillars for
unobstructed viewing. Also, the meeting space will feature state-of-the-art
technology including wireless internet capabilities, 400 amp service,
extensive flexibility in lighting control and fiber optic cabling. The
largest ballroom within the new facility, which is approximately 15,000
square feet, will accommodate up to 1,500 theater style. Additionally, the
ceiling height will be in excess of 17 feet with integrated Sky Hook(TM)
hang points throughout the ballroom. Moreover, the facility will headline
14,000 square feet of pre-function space.
"The expansion will create a positive financial impact for the City of
Chicago with anticipation that the expanded facilities will generate
additional revenues to exceed $12 million annually," commented Klein.
Additionally, staffing levels will increase by adding approximately 75 new
employees, as necessary to facilitate the increased business levels.
Swissotel Chicago's conference expansion will be in the Lakeshore East
development, believed to be the largest parcel of downtown land under
development in a major U.S. city. This $4 billion mixed-use development in
the rapidly growing New East Side incorporates all the elements of a
traditional city community, a lifestyle center that includes homes for up
to 10,000 residents, 77,000 square feet of retail space, recreational
opportunities and amenities such as a lush 6-acre public park and a planned
charter elementary school. Some 40 percent of the site will remain vibrant
open space.
Swissotel Chicago (
http://www.swissotelchicago.com) is a AAA Four
Diamond hotel offering 632 luxuriously oversized guestrooms and suites.
Designed by noted Chicago architect Harry Weese, the all-glass triangular
hotel is wedged into the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.