Hilton Worldwide & HRI Lodging to Convert Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown to Full-Service Hilton
RICHMOND, VA. - April 27, 2015. Hilton Worldwide and HRI Lodging, LLC today announced the conversion of Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown into a full-service Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand property by the end of 2015. The New Orleans-based owner, HRI Properties LLC, will oversee the $11.5 million dollar transformation of the hotel, which is housed in the former Miller & Rhoads department store.
The historic Miller & Rhoads building was constructed between 1888 and 1909 as a one-room store and later expanded to an eight-story building in the block bound by Broad, Grace, Fifth and Sixth streets. The landmark department store closed in 1990 and reopened as a hotel and condos in early 2009. The hotel is in a building shared by Miller & Rhoads Residences, a 133-unit residential project with 111 one- and two-bedroom apartments and condominiums.
"The addition of this Richmond-based property to the Hilton portfolio marks an exciting milestone as we continue to extend Hilton's footprint to key markets across the country," said Rob Palleschi, global head, full service brands, Hilton Worldwide. "With its rich history, burgeoning food scene and growing business center, we are thrilled to call Richmond home and join the fabric of this storied city."
The hotel will also gain 10,000 additional square feet of meeting/event space and will feature an enhanced 24-hour fitness center as well as a Hilton HHonors lounge.
"It's a dramatic transformation with improvements including the renovation of all 250 guest rooms with high-end finishes and the offering of a sleek new tech lounge in the lobby," said John Cario, area vice president and general manager, Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown.
One important aspect for the hotel property, and its leadership team, is to ensure the history of the building is still preserved and showcased for the local community. "The Miller & Rhoads Memorabilia collected over the years is very special to our hotel. We have already successfully gained the necessary approval to integrate our treasures within the new design," said Tim Stacer, director of sales & marketing, Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown.
The hotel will also keep the building's storied tradition of its annual legendary "Santa Tea" which, since the 1940s, has offered children and families the opportunity to meet Santa in an ornate, magical setting. This beloved event is held in partnership with the Children's Museum of Richmond each holiday season. "We are honored to be leading this transformation in a building as significant as the Miller & Rhoads department store and in a city as historic as Richmond," said Gary Gutierrez, president of HRI Lodging. "HRI prides itself on setting the standard for historic preservation of our nation's classic buildings."
The hotel, located at 501 E. Broad St., will remain open during the renovations.
About HRI Properties
Based in New Orleans, HRI Properties (HRI) is a full-service real estate development company and a national leader in the adaptive reuse of historic structures and the redevelopment of neighborhoods. HRI's mission is "revitalizing cities by creating diverse, vibrant, sustainable communities". Since its founding in 1982, HRI has completed more than 68 large-scale projects, which total 5,114 apartment and condominium units, 4,116 hotel rooms, and more than 1.3 million square feet of retail and office space, with a total development cost of $2 billion. For more information, please visit www.hriproperties.com
About HRI Lodging
HRI Lodging, LLC. (HRIL) is one of the 50 largest hotel management companies in the U.S. with a current portfolio of 19 hotels and resorts spanning the continental U.S. By building alliances with major domestic and international investment firms, the organization pursues a dual mode growth strategy of managing independent, boutique properties as well as partnering with industry leading brands, including Starwood, Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt. HRI Lodging is the hotel management division of New Orleans-based HRI Properties, a full-service real estate development company and a national leader in the adaptive reuse of historic structures. For more information, please visit www.hrilodging.com
About Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Founded in 1919 as the flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide, Hilton Hotels & Resorts continues to build upon its legacy of innovation by developing products and services to meet the needs of savvy global travelers at more than 550 hotels across six continents. Hilton is the stylish, forward-thinking global leader in hospitality with Team Members shaping experiences in which every guest feels cared for, valued and respected. Access the latest news at news.hilton.com and begin your journey at www.hilton.com or www.hilton.com/offers for the latest hotel specials. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide's 12 brands.
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 95 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of twelve world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,300 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 715,000 rooms in 94 countries and territories, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information.
Media Contact:
Tim Stacer
Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown
[email protected]
804-727-2112
Jacqueline Toppings
[email protected]
703-883-5381
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
