Last week, we showed you how Douglas Development Corp. and its contractor, Davis Construction, moved the first of two historic structures to make way for the massive Square 450 project in Mount Vernon Square.
The gargantuan effort, moving the 880-ton New York Avenue building 34 feet, is an impressive feat. The goal is to “preserve, protect and enhance the historic built environment” in the District, said Joe Baker, a senior project manager with Davis.
The company that is planning to redevelop the former Bank of America operations center at 225 N. Calvert St. wants to install a massive wrap-around graphic on the building just above street level.
The graphic is still in development. Designers ran a first draft of an image past city officials last week. The company developing the building, Monument Realty, said it’s intent on finding an image that will liven up a dark section of Calvert Street that planners have said for years could use more color.
Longing for alternatives to the conventional, cookie-cutter hotel? Along with crocuses and daffodils, new specialty chains from major hospitality companies including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Carlson Rezidor will be springing up across the globe in the coming weeks and months.
The hotels are what’s known in the industry as “lifestyle” brands: They strive to appeal to the predilections of next-generation travelers. Some are trying to lure millennials (who are defined as between 18 and 34 in 2015, according to the Pew Research Center)) with high-tech lounges, reasonable rates, locally inspired amenities, and grab-and-go meals.
The Viceroy Palm Springs, a signature name among the valley’s luxury boutique hotels, is changing brands to become an Avalon Hotel.
Proper Hospitality, which also recently announced it assumed management of the Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills, will begin management of the Viceroy property on April 7.
“These hotels hold a special place in my heart, as well as a unique place in the market. They are truly hidden gems with great histories and promising futures,” Brad Korzen, Proper Hospitality co-founder and chief executive, said in a statement Wednesday.
Most Noteworthy Hotel Investment Deals and Executives Honored at ALIS
Los Angeles, CA, January 27, 2015 – Executives and companies responsible for the most influential hotel industry deals in 2014 were honored with prestigious ALIS awards at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) awards luncheon today. Nominees are considered for the awards based on outstanding business performance in various industry sectors and determined by ALIS sponsors and delegates. This year’s winners are: