Press Release - May 21, 2009

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON ANTICIPATED COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT AND CHAMPION’S SPORTS BAR FORT WAYNE DOWNTOWN PROJECT

FORT WAYNE, IN   (May 21, 2009) – White Lodging of Merrillville, IN is proud to announce that construction has officially begun on the much-anticipated Courtyard by Marriott and Champion’s Sports Bar located in downtown Fort Wayne.  The hotel is part of the $120 million Harrison Square mixed-use development.

“Upon opening in late summer 2010, the Courtyard by Marriott and Champion’s will represent downtown Fort Wayne’s first new full service hotel in 25 years,” stated Deno Yiankes President and CEO of White Lodging’s Investment & Development Division.  “We are thrilled to be commencing construction and look forward to becoming an integral component of the exciting Harrison Square development.”

Located on the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Harrison Street in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne, the hotel is one of the cornerstones of the Harrison Square project.  The hotel will be bordered on the North by the Grand Wayne Convention Center, on the West by the recently completed Parkview Field, on the South by a newly constructed 900 space parking garage and on the East by the historic Indiana Hotel and Embassy Theatre.  The hotel will have direct entries to the adjacent parking garage as well as an over-the-street enclosed walkway through the Indiana Hotel to both the Embassy Theatre and Grand Wayne Convention Center.  

“The City of Fort Wayne’s Redevelopment Commission and Redevelopment staff and White Lodging have worked in partnership from the beginning to make this new hotel a reality,” stated Mayor Tom Henry.  “White Lodging’s involvement in this mixed-use development in the heart of our city is crucial to the continued revitalization of downtown Fort Wayne.  I look forward to seeing the construction of this hotel over the next 15 months as it fills a void for our convention and tourism business.”  

The Courtyard Fort Wayne downtown Fort Wayne hotel will feature 250 guestrooms and suites featuring the brand’s refreshing new design and décor incorporating Marriott’s newest generation of interior design and public space furnishings.  Guests will be welcomed to a spacious lobby with a “walk-around” front desk that allows for increased guest interaction and more personalized service.  Also found in the lobby is a touch screen ‘GoBoard’ where one can access local weather, driving directions and much more.  All guestrooms feature Marriott’s luxurious bedding, remote control Flat Screen televisions with cable and complimentary wired and wireless high-speed internet access.  Additional amenities include oversized exercise/workout room, indoor swimming pool, and over 6,600 square feet of flexible meeting space including a 4,200 square foot ballroom that can accommodate up to 300 people for business, group and/or social events.

Dining options for the hotel include Champion’s Sports Bar which will feature American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner with over 20 flat screen televisions found throughout; plus a 24-hour pantry available serving sandwiches and beverages.

For more information about hotel operations job opportunities or hotel management careers with White Lodging, please visit careers.whitelodging.com or call 219-769-3267.

 

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