Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph to Open Early 2015

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. August 23, 2013

August 23, 2013 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced the debut of Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph, adding this cosmopolitan Midwest city to Le Meridien brand's rapidly expanding global portfolio. Owned by The Pizzuti Companies and operated by Wischermann Partners, the new build 10-story hotel will offer 135 modern rooms with all of the Paris-born brand's signature amenities and services.

Located in the Short North Arts District, the city's cultural center, Le Meridien Columbus is slated to open in early 2015, and today's ground-breaking ceremony, attended by representatives from Pizzuti, Starwood, and Wischermann Partners, marked the start of construction for not only Le Meridien Columbus but also the office and retail building and parking garage that make up Pizzuti's The Joseph mixed-use development project.

"The uptick of Le Meridien hotel deals we're seeing underscores the success of the brand's recent repositioning and its popularity among cosmopolitan travelers," said Allison Reid, Senior Vice President of North America Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "We are delighted to partner with The Pizzuti Companies and expand our relationship withWischermann Partners as we work together to bring this contemporary design-led brand to Columbus."

Le Meridien Columbus will feature a full-service restaurant, signature bar, two deluxe spa suites, and 1,200 square foot 24-hour fitness center. The hotel will be equipped with nearly 8,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space, perfect for social occasions and business functions.

"Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph is an exciting addition to Columbus and the Short North Arts District," said Joel S. Pizzuti, president of The Pizzuti Companies. "As part of our overall Joseph development, which also includes a mix of office, retail, parking and art exhibition space, the new Le Meridien hotel will further establish the Short North as the place to be in Columbus."

Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph will feature a two-story signature Le Meridien Hub™ experience, which re-interprets the traditional lobby into a social gathering place for creative people to converse, debate, and exchange. The Le Meridien Columbus Hub will offer both guests and locals a creative atmosphere where contemporary, curated artwork from the famed Pizzuti Collection will set the environment. Le Meridien Hub further builds on the brand's award-winning arrival experience and coffee culture. Le Meridien arrival consists of four elements: large-scale artwork in high impact areas to reset the mind and stimulate dialogue and curiosity; the sensory experience, illustrated through Le Meridien signature scent, sound and use of light, creating a unique and distinctive atmosphere; UNLOCK ART™ programme, featuring LM100 ™ artist designed key card collections that not only offer access to the guestroom but also to Le Meridien affiliated contemporary cultural centers in the city; and a 24-hour curated soundtrack.

"We are delighted to partake in the creation of this modern classic design experience in Columbus, the fourth Le Meridien branded hotel in our portfolio," said Paul Wischermann, President of Wischermann Partners. "The Short North is the perfect setting, where Starwood's most loyal guests will be invited to discover, explore and engage with the local cultural scene."

Le Meridien Columbus will anchor a highly anticipated, new mixed-use Joseph development complex that is slated to open in 2014 and will include a six-story, cubist-inspired office building with 60,000 square feet of premium office and retail space, a 313-space parking garage adjacent to the office building, and the Pizzuti Collection, which houses the contemporary art collection of Ron Pizzuti, founder and CEO of The Pizzuti Companies, and will open September 7, 2013. Pizzuti announced in July that women's apparel and accessory retailer Anthropologie will occupy approximately 9,800 square feet on the first two floors of the office/retail building.

Located at 620 North High Street, Le Meridien Columbus will be one block north of the Columbus Convention Center and within walking distance to the art galleries, restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and nightclubs of the Short North. The hotel will also offer close proximity to The Ohio State University campus and the corporate headquarters of Nationwide Insurance,Cardinal Healthcare and the Limited Brands.