The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia Unveils Yearlong Multi-Million Dollar Renovation
PHILADELPHIA, PA. June 27, 2016 - The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, a storied hotel on the Avenue of the Arts, has unveiled a yearlong, multi-million dollar renewal project. Helmed by architect and interior designer Wimberly Interiors, the updates to the hotel include all new guest rooms and meeting spaces, a refreshed lobby experience and public spaces along with a new restaurant, bar and lounge by Richard Sandoval.
The iconic hotel, steeped in history, was originally built as a reproduction of the Pantheon when it opened in 1908 as The Girard Trust Company. The property-wide enhancements focus on the scenography of the building - explore history and experience the arts - paying tribute to its rich past. The new design brings a fresh and sophisticated feel to the hotel while also telling a story through neutral colors, textures and materials inspired by money and currency, with pops of metallic, bronze and emerald green. Artwork and guest amenities reflect a distinct sense of place in the heart of Philadelphia.
New guest room design features luxurious fabrics and furniture finishes in a welcoming neutral color palate. Punctuations of green and blue along with notes of bronze and nickel layer a contemporary polish. The new guest rooms offer a distinct space for work and relaxation with a cohesive unit encompassing the desk and TV console which work together to create a flexible work and dining space for guests.
The Ritz-Carlton Suite is the premier accommodation in Philadelphia. Offering beautiful views of the city from the 31st floor, a personal elevator for exclusive use, two full bedrooms, separate living and dining spaces, personal kitchen en suite with a large dining table and a monumental Master Bath with incredible city views of the iconic City Hall and 27-ton statue of William Penn.
The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia Club Lounge has been updated to reflect a distinct sense of place in the heart of the city. The lounge, which contains the original wood paneling made of French walnut serves as a hotel within a hotel. Here, service reaches a new level with dedicated private concierges and personalized amenities. In the exclusive Club Lounge, guests will discover a quiet space for working, meeting or relaxing with complimentary culinary and beverage presentations throughout the day.
“After years of thoughtful planning and construction we are thrilled to re-introduce The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, and showcase the new modern interiors inside our classic and historic building” said Darryll Adam, General Manager. “We are delighted to solidify our place as the only branded luxury hotel in Philadelphia.”
The 26,000 square feet of meeting spaces have been updated to reflect a seamless transition of neutral colors through each function room, with a nod to history through historic motifs from the building in the furniture details, with an updated clean aesthetic. The second and third levels of the hotel are pre-function rooms including 13 meeting rooms that can accommodate groups from 20 to 400 people. Even the original bank vault now serves as a luxurious function room. With a variety of layout options and room sizes, The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia has flexibility to host everything from small C-level board meetings to cocktail fundraisers and holiday parties. The hotel features two ballrooms: a 3,075 square-foot petite ballroom and the 6,100 square-foot Grand Ballroom, located on the concourse level, which is the centerpiece of the hotel and can hold up to 600 people. The sky can be admired through the ballroom's large crystal chandelier as guests look up into the celling, into the oculus and through the top of the rotunda in the lobby.
High ceilings, 9,000 tons of Georgia marble and original architecture of the 101-foot dome, which once was the largest dome in the Western Hemisphere, are dazzling. Upon entering the building a large lounge area with a plethora of comfortable seating is surrounded with two large crystal walls that fill the space with sparkle and light. The original oculus, which used to host the bank tellers as they would pull the money through the center of the oculus from the vault directly below is still intact and covered by a glass wall which is now surrounded by a high-top bar.
Located in the property's iconic marble lobby is celebrity chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval's newest endeavor, Aqimero. Hailed for his mastery of authentic Mexican cuisine and highly inspired restaurant concepts, Aqimero is the newest in a collection of critically acclaimed restaurants and will be heating up the food scene this year in the City of Brotherly Love. The wood-burning grill is the centerpiece of the new restaurant, with a menu focusing on sustainable seafood, steaks, ribs and poultry. Multiple sections for seating through the bar, lounge and main dining area offer comfortable places for large and small groups, and guests can catch a glimpse of the chefs in action preparing meals through the kitchen's show window. The 206-seat restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Additionally, the “Suviche Bar” offers a combination of raw bar - Mussels, Clams, Oysters, Shrimp Cocktail and Lobster Tail alongside a huge assortment of sushi and ceviche. Salads, inspired classics and savory sides round out the dinner menu, with refreshing, seasonal craft cocktails to balance the bold flavors of the menu. “Aqimero will bring the Latin American ritual of the meal to Philadelphia in a modern and sustainable way,” said Executive Chef Richard Sandoval. “I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with The Ritz-Carlton on this new dining concept and introduce my vision for fresh and authentic Latin-Asian cuisine to the city. “
For more information about The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia please visit www.ritzcarlton.com/philadelphia or call +1 (215) 523-8000.
About The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia
Set in the heart of Center City, The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia offers unprecedented access to history in the nation's birthplace, located just steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Housed in a landmark building originally constructed in 1908 as a reproduction of the Pantheon, The Ritz-Carlton opened in 2000 and features 299 elegantly appointed guest rooms, a Spa, 26,000 square feet of meeting space and more. The striking 146-foot Rotunda lobby with 16 columns is comprised of over 9,000 tons of Georgia marble, and an oculus allowing an abundance of natural light, which filters through a second oculus to the Grand Ballroom below. The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia completed a multi-million dollar redesign in June 2016. The updates to the iconic Philadelphia hotel include all new guest rooms and meeting spaces, a refreshed lobby experience and public spaces, along with a new restaurant, bar and lounge.
About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 87 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information or reservations, visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com, and for the latest company updates, visit news.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR).
About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with nearly 4,500 properties in 87 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of more than $14 billion in fiscal year 2015. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, Bulgari®, 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 Moxy Hotels®. 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 comprise more than 56 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.
Contact:
Allison Sitch
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(301)-547-4784
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 
