Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts to Make 2017 Debut in Fort Lauderdale Following $30 Million Renovation and Conversion
STAMFORD, CT. April 20, 2016 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that its Parisian-born Le Meridien brand will open in Dania Beach , Fort Lauderdale , in partnership with owner and prominent U.S. real estate developer Charles S. Cohen . Le Meridien Fort Lauderdale Airport will debut in 2017, following a comprehensive $30 million renovation and conversion of the hotel. This forthcoming opening follows on the heels of tremendous brand growth in North America over the last 18 months in Charlotte , Chicago , Columbus , New Orleans , Tampa and Indianapolis .
“We are delighted to partner with Starwood to introduce Le Meridien in Fort Lauderdale, following the top-to-bottom transformation and repositioning of this ideally located hotel,” stated Charles S. Cohen, President and CEO of New York-based Cohen Brothers Realty Corporation. “Le Meridien Fort Lauderdale Airport will help to meet rising demand for high-quality lodging within close proximity of the airport, Broward County Convention Center and the downtown business district and will also serve the growing need for meeting rooms and event facilities for tenants of our corporate center.”
Following its meticulous renovation and conversion, the hotel's arrival experience will boast a transformed glass curtain wall façade and upgrades to the porte-cochere as well as large-scale artwork in high impact areas. Le Meridien Fort Lauderdale Airport will feature 245 contemporary guestrooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning views, as well as two redesigned restaurants - one with a mid-century modern, open kitchen concept - and the brand's signature Latitude Bar. The hotel will also introduce Le Meridien Hub, which reinterprets the traditional hotel lobby into a social gathering place and builds on the brand's award-winning arrival experience and coffee culture.
“Le Meridien Fort Lauderdale Airport will be the brand's second hotel in Florida, joining its growing North America portfolio,” said Allison Reid, Senior Vice President of North America Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Le Meridien is a perfect brand for strategic conversions and adaptive re-use projects, which are driving the brand's growth in the region, allowing us to enter mature metropolitan markets more quickly.”
Le Meridien Fort Lauderdale Airport will also offer an expanded fitness centre, a renovated outdoor pool and 20,000 square feet of state-of-the-art flexible meeting space in a prime location. The dramatic hotel transformation is being carried out by an outstanding team of design and construction specialists, including Nichols Brosch Wurst Wolfe & Associates and Daniels Brothers Inc., in addition to Dash Design, for interior design; Nievera Williams Design for landscape design; and Tex Lighting for lighting design.
Ideally located just minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Fort Lauderdale Everglades Cruise Port, the hotel also neighbors several beaches, downtown Fort Lauderdale, and the world-famous restaurants, night clubs and boutiques of nearby Miami Beach. Le Meridien Fort Lauderdale Airport will be part of Cohen's distinctive Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA) campus, a 40-acre, three-building Class A design and office center in Dania Beach. Guests will enjoy convenient access to Broward Center for the Performing Arts, NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and BB&T Center.
About Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts
With more than 100 Hotels & Resorts worldwide and the strongest, most globally diverse portfolio in its history, the Paris -born Le Meridien brand connects the curious and creative-minded traveller to unexpected and engaging experiences within their destination. With its brand promise of “Destination Unlocked”, Le Meridien has transformed numerous guest touch points through global partnerships with creative minds such as illy, the LEGO® Group, Johnny Iuzzini , Gray Malin , and Nouvelle Vague. Plans call for dynamic portfolio expansion within the next five years in some of the world's most exciting destinations, concentrating on markets in Asia-Pacific and the Americas . For more information, please visit LeMeridien.com
About Cohen Brothers Realty Corporation
Cohen Brothers Realty Corporation , a multi-faceted real estate development company, owns and manages over twelve million square feet of prime Class A Manhattan office space as well as design centers in New York , Los Angeles and Houston . Among its signature New York properties are 623 Fifth Avenue , 135 East 57th Street, 805 Third Avenue , 750 Lexington Avenue , 622 Third Avenue , 979 Third Avenue , 3 East 54th Street and 475 Park Avenue South .
Contact:
Katie Roberts
[email protected]
212-380-4049
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 
