First Hospitality Group Breaks Ground on Hilton's First Triple-Brand Hotel at Chicago's McCormick Place
ROSEMONT, IL. and MCLEAN, VA. February 1, 2017 - First Hospitality Group, Inc. (FHG) and Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced today their partnership to bring Hilton's first triple-brand hotel, consisting of a Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton, to North America's largest convention center, McCormick Place. A formal announcement will be made tomorrow by FHG's Founder and Chairman, Stephen Schwartz, and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority's CEO Lori Healey, among others, during a groundbreaking celebration for the project.
“We are pleased to partner with FHG on this one-of-a-kind project, a venture which is a true testament to the value proposition delivered to the owners of Hilton's growing number of multi-brand hotels,” said Jim Holthouser, Executive Vice President, Global Brands, Hilton. “Serving as a premier hub of international commerce attracting nearly three million visitors a year, McCormick Place is the ideal location to build Hilton's first triple-brand hotel and bring even greater exposure to three of our category-leading brands.”
Officially named the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Center, the Hampton Inn by Hilton Chicago McCormick Center, and the Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago McCormick Center, the project is expected to bring nearly 350 full-time jobs and more than 600 construction jobs to the local community. Construction will officially commence following today's groundbreaking, with the triple-brand hotel slated to open in late 2018.
Located at 123 E. Cermak Road with a skybridge to the convention center, the Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton McCormick Center will offer travelers accommodations with value-added amenities that emphasize comfort, convenience and productivity. Upon completion, the hotel will encompass approximately 379,500 square feet, including 23 floors and a collective 466 guest rooms and suites.
“We are extremely excited to be developing and managing Hilton's first triple-brand hotel, a unique opportunity that has enabled us to create a wealth of new employment opportunities and spur continued economic development within the local community,” said Schwartz. “McCormick Place has long needed fresh lodging options for visitors, and the award-winning upscale character of Hilton Garden Inn, the friendly yet authentic experience at Hampton and the modern approach to extended stay offered by Home2 Suites, will appeal to travelers with a wide variety of tastes, styles and desired price points.”
Like Hilton's successful dual-brand building model, this first triple-brand hotel allows for shared construction and zoning, while providing savings on operational costs. The concept also creates larger and enhanced communal areas and amenities, benefiting both business and leisure travelers. Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton McCormick Center will have three distinct lobbies and dining areas - each catering to the needs of their respective guests - while sharing many common amenities, including an exercise room, indoor pool, business center and six rooms of extensive meeting space totaling roughly 7,000 square feet.
The property will have a variety of dining options to appeal to all types of travelers:
•A rooftop dining lounge experience, which will be developed by Concentrics Restaurants, will total approximately 9,500 square feet on the 22nd floor of the hotel and serve breakfast, as well as lunch and a dinner offering of small plates and inventive drinks amidst sweeping views of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago. The restaurant will serve as Hilton Garden Inn's designated dining option, while welcoming guests staying with all three brands, as well as the general public.
•The hotel will include separate Hampton and Home2 Suites dining/public areas dedicated to delivering their respective guests the brands' complimentary breakfasts and business center offerings.
•The property will include two street level restaurants - one upscale American/Italian and one bar/tavern.
•The hotel will house a full Starbucks coffee shop accessible from Cermak Road.
FHG will own and manage the triple-brand hotel and manage the onsite Starbucks. McHugh/UJAMAA LLC, a partnership between James McHugh Construction Co. and UJAMAA Construction Inc., will serve as the general contractor for the project, with Antunovich Associates serving as the building architect, Todd Halamka + Partners as the hotel architect and Looney Associates as the interior designer.
FHG was recognized in Forbes' America's Best Midsize Employers 2016. FHG received a #28 ranking out of the 250 best midsize employers in the country, #1 in the travel category and #3 amongst all of America's best travel companies. For more information about FHG, visit www.fhginc.com.
For more information on the Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton McCormick Center property please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com. For development queries, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com/development.
Media can access additional information including downloadable images at news.hiltonworldwide.com.
About First Hospitality Group
First Hospitality Group, Inc. (FHG) is a leading hotel management, acquisition and development company with more than 30 years of award-winning experience. FHG's unique people-driven professional culture fosters a team of highly skilled and motivated hospitality experts who consistently deliver outstanding property level performance, as well as memorable and engaging guest experiences. Headquartered in Chicago, FHG's portfolio features 19 brands and 46 properties throughout the Midwest. Recognized in Forbes America's Best Midsize Employers 2016, FHG received a #28 ranking out of the 250 best midsize employers in the country, #1 in the travel category, and #3 amongst all of America's best travel companies. For more information, visit, www.fhginc.com.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, with a portfolio of 14 world-class brands comprising nearly 4,900 properties with more than 796,000 rooms in 104 countries and territories. Hilton is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world's most hospitable company by delivering exceptional experiences - every hotel, every guest, every time. The company's portfolio includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where Hilton HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information.
About McHugh/UJAMAA LLC
McHugh/UJAMAA LLC, a joint venture between two Chicago-based construction companies, will perform as general contractor for the construction of the Hilton Tri-Branded Hotel in the historic Motor Row District of downtown Chicago. UJAMAA is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) firm as well as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) with the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. In 2009, the federal government's Small Business Administration (SBA) designated UJAMAA as an 8(a) certified firm. McHugh is a 120-year-old general contractor that has always called Chicago its home. The firm has an extensive hospitality portfolio and also performs in the high-rise and infrastructure segments. For more information, visit www.mchughconstruction.com and www.ujamaaconstruction.com.
Contact:
Morgan Mark
[email protected]
+1.248.258.2333
Jeanine Karp
[email protected]
+1.305.785.0424
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 
