Swissotel Chicago Announces Expansion Plan

"This expansion will essentially change the entire dynamic of the hotel by doubling the amount of meeting space, allowing the property to compete for extensive meeting business," stated Thomas Klein, Swissotel's vice president business development, The Americas.

The 632-room property, located at 323 East Wacker Drive, will undergo an expansion plan comprised of 50,000 square feet of meeting space including a state-of-the-art 15,000 square foot ballroom. "The additional meeting space, scheduled to open in June, 2009, in conjunction with the current meeting space will render Swissotel Chicago as the ideal meeting headquarter venue, whether it is an executive meeting for 15 or a convention for 1,500," added Klein.

Swissotel Chicago's new facilities will be designed without pillars for unobstructed viewing. Also, the meeting space will feature state-of-the-art technology including wireless internet capabilities, 400 amp service, extensive flexibility in lighting control and fiber optic cabling. The largest ballroom within the new facility, which is approximately 15,000 square feet, will accommodate up to 1,500 theater style. Additionally, the ceiling height will be in excess of 17 feet with integrated Sky Hook(TM) hang points throughout the ballroom. Moreover, the facility will headline 14,000 square feet of pre-function space.

"The expansion will create a positive financial impact for the City of Chicago with anticipation that the expanded facilities will generate additional revenues to exceed $12 million annually," commented Klein. Additionally, staffing levels will increase by adding approximately 75 new employees, as necessary to facilitate the increased business levels.

Swissotel Chicago's conference expansion will be in the Lakeshore East development, believed to be the largest parcel of downtown land under development in a major U.S. city. This $4 billion mixed-use development in the rapidly growing New East Side incorporates all the elements of a traditional city community, a lifestyle center that includes homes for up to 10,000 residents, 77,000 square feet of retail space, recreational opportunities and amenities such as a lush 6-acre public park and a planned charter elementary school. Some 40 percent of the site will remain vibrant open space.

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