Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Completes $25 Million Renovation

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. June 18, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS - June 15, 2012 - Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, one of the largest properties in the Twin Cities, today announced the completion of a $25 million renovation of the hotel's guestrooms, suites, public areas and restaurants. The renovations were funded and conducted by a joint-venture of affiliates of Starwood Capital Group, Haberhill and Hyatt Hotels.

“We are excited to welcome guests to a completely transformed world-class hotel that reflects the unique heritage of Minnesota,” said Randy Thompson, general manager, Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. “With a fantastic location in the heart of downtown Minneapolis and a stunning new design, Hyatt Regency Minneapolis is an exceptional choice for savvy business and leisure travelers.”

New York-based Stonehill & Taylor was responsible for the architecture and interior design. The firm set a clear goal to support North American manufacturing with the majority of the design product made within a 500-mile radius of Minnesota. "We are proud to complete a project of this size and aesthetic quality with most of it made in North America," said Michael Suomi, principal and VP interior design at Stonehill & Taylor. "We think the design of Hyatt Regency Minneapolis is a true celebration of history of manufacturing in this country and the region." Approximately 80 percent of the furnishings were produced in the U.S. and Canada.

“Our work is the result of our tireless search for superior materials, furniture, decorative items from the region that fit our design vision and supported the economic growth of regional companies,” added Suomi. Some of the locally sourced design elements include Red Wing Stoneware pieces in the guestrooms and granite used in the bathroom counter tops that was quarried locally and purchased from Cold Spring Granite, a 113-year-old Minnesota company. Jonathan Nehmer + Associates served as the project manager for the renovation.

Stonehill & Taylor's design narrative makes references to historic industries prevalent in the region, as well as the Scandinavian heritage of many of today's Minnesotans. The biggest visual draw in the lobby is the expansive stone fireplace framed by rustic wooden logs, which was inspired by the historic timber milling industry of Minnesota. Surrounding the fireplace is a sunken-living room with split-timber walls and furniture, light fixtures and carpeting in relaxing earth tones. Natural materials like wood and yarn are integrated to give a handmade feel to the furnishings. A giant log has been turned into a seating element with three seats carved into it with Scandinavian-style seatbacks.

Another highlight of the renovation is the new Prairie Kitchen & Bar, a chic 5,500-square-foot new restaurant specializing in locally grown and seasonal items that evoke the Scandinavian and farming heritage of Minnesota. Inspired by the local historic flour milling industries, Stonehill & Taylor used a sophisticated natural palette in the restaurant design. Oversized pendants are suspended from factory pulleys as a reference to the area's old flourmills. A luxurious bar, made locally of 13-foot-tall walnut and mirrored panels, is the centerpiece of Prairie Kitchen & Bar. The dramatic design offers 80 linear feet of seating for guests and is accessible from all sides. Guests may also choose to visit Market, Hyatt's new deli-style concept, which provides a variety of menu options at all hours.

The hotel's 533 guestrooms and suites features a color scheme with soothing indigos, cool grays and warm gold tones inspired by Minnesota's 10,000 lakes, and the horizon line where water meets the sky. The hotel features suites, king, queen and double rooms, as well as double queen beds. New living room furniture consists of high-end leather chairs and modern walnut desks in the mid-century Scandinavian style. Each room includes leather headboards, luxurious linens and window coverings, and plush navy blue carpeting. “Jack packs” on the desks allow guests to easily connect a variety of media devices to the flat-screen TV.

The guestrooms feature striking original artwork including an image of the iconic Gold Medal Flour building overlooking the Mississippi River by local artist Mat Ollig, a dark blue and white aerial view of Minneapolis by Dennis Ekstedt, and a modern rendering of Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman created by Mark Khaisman, who used Minnesota-based 3M masking tape as his medium for the piece.

The remodeled, oversized guest bathrooms are highlighted by light gray wall coverings, dark tile flooring, subtle lighting, and Scandinavian-style mirrors. Guestroom corridors received new carpeting and lighting and feature artwork by artist Rosemary Dumar, with a conceptual take on the state's natural geography.

About Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, 1300 Nicollet Mall, is a convention center hotel located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. The property features 533 rooms, 74,000 square feet of flexible function space, a full service business center, WIFI Internet access, renowned dining outlets, an indoor heated pool and a new health club. The hotel's prime location on Nicollet Mall allows guests to easily explore an incredible array of Twin Cities' attractions from shopping to sports and anything in between. To book, call 800.233.1234 or visit www.minneapolis.hyatt.com.

About Stonehill & Taylor
Stonehill & Taylor is an architecture and interior design firm based in New York City. With primary specialization in hospitality, healthcare, research and academic institutions, the firm uses a collaborative approach to produce unique design stories. Stonehill & Taylor was ranked 2012's top NY design firm in the hospitality sector by ENR. The firm's successful projects range from interior design to architecture, new building construction, historic preservation and renovations, including: The Ace Hotel, The NoMad Hotel, Crosby Street Hotel, Hilton New York, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, The President Hotel and the new Hyatt House brand. Stonehill & Taylor has designed the highest number of LEED certified hotels in New York and the first LEED Gold hotel with the Crosby Street Hotel. For more information about the company, visit: stonehilltaylor.com.

About Starwood Capital Group
Starwood Capital Group is a private, U.S.-based investment firm with a core focus on global real estate. Since the group's inception in 1991, the firm has raised over $14 billion of equity capital and, through its various funds, has invested $12 billion representing over $32 billion in assets. Starwood Capital Group currently has over $19 billion of assets under management. Starwood Capital Group maintains offices in Greenwich, Atlanta, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, and affiliated offices in London, Luxembourg, Paris, Mumbai and Sao Paulo. Starwood Capital Group has invested in nearly every class of real estate on a global basis, including office, retail, residential, senior housing, golf, hotels, resorts and industrial assets. Starwood Capital Group and its affiliates have successfully executed an investment strategy that includes building enterprises around core real estate portfolios in both the private and public markets. Additional information about Starwood Capital can be found at www.starwoodcapital.com.

About Haberhill
Haberhill is a real estate investment and advisory firm focusing on the lodging and hospitality sector. The firm generally focuses on full-service hotels in locations where long-term real estate value creation is an important component. Through on-going relationships between Haberhill and various capital partners, the firm has co-invested in seven full service hotels with a total value in excess of $650 million, including over $80 million of equity capital. Additional information about Haberhill can be found at www.haberhill.com