First Hospitality Group, Inc. Hosts Sneak Peak Event of Omaha Residence Inn

Omaha Federal Building on Track for Mid-2013 Completion

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. April 08, 2013

ROSEMONT, IL - April 8, 2013 - Rosemont, Ill.-based First Hospitality Group, Inc. recently gave a sneak peak tour of its latest adaptive reuse project—the conversion of the former Federal Building in Omaha, Neb., into a Residence Inn by Marriott— to a select group of 100 Omaha business leaders and government officials. The renovation project, scheduled for completion this summer, will retain many of the building's historic and original characteristics and building materials. First Hospitality Group, Inc. President and COO Robert Habeeb made the announcement.

The exclusive event featured hardhat tours of the building, insider commentary from First Hospitality Group Chairman and CEO Stephen Schwartz and an evening reception to celebrate the hotel's progress. The $23 million transformation of the Omaha Federal Building, which began in April of 2012, will preserve and utilize all of the building's original marble, terrazzo tile, wooden railings and brass fixtures. The building will feature a 1,000-square-foot penthouse on the 12th floor with panoramic views of Omaha and nearly 2,000 square feet of meeting space. Old items found in the building, such as the original 1934 FBI Most Wanted poster, will also be preserved and displayed when the hotel opens.

“Transforming this historic treasure into a one-of-a-kind modern hotel while maintaining the traditional architectural features and details continues to be an exciting process,” said Habeeb. “We are pleased to be able to pull back the renovation curtain at this critical phase in the renovation process and engage the community as we prepare for a summer 2013 opening.”

Construction on the Omaha Federal Building began in 1932 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal during the Great Depression. Designed by Thomas Rogers Kimball, a renowned Omaha and Midwest architect, the building was assembled utilizing all American-made materials, including wood, marble and tile. The building is considered the first “modern classic” Art Deco design in federal government buildings and serviced several federal branches after opening its doors in 1934, including the District Court, IRS, FBI, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation and the Army Corps of Engineers. The Omaha Federal Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.

The conversion of the Omaha Federal Building into a Residence Inn by Marriott is the latest in a series of adaptive reuse projects by First Hospitality Group, Inc. aimed at maximizing the potential of historic properties. Previous projects include the Fairfield Inn and Suites in downtown Omaha, the Hyatt Place hotel in the historic Liberty Building in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, and the Loyalty Building in downtown Milwaukee, Wis., to a 128-room Hilton Garden Inn.

First Hospitality Group, Inc., is a national, experienced, and established hospitality management, and development company serving the investment and real estate industries. Since 1985, FHG has been an award-winning pioneer in the hospitality industry. FHG has successfully developed, marketed and managed over 16 brands and 50 properties throughout the Midwest. Visit www.fhginc.com.