Empire Ballroom at Grand Hyatt New York Undergoes Renovation

Known Previously as the Commodore Ballroom Built in 1917

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. March 11, 2010

NEW YORK, NY - (March 9, 2010) - The storied Empire Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt New York has undergone a $12 million renovation and is again welcoming Presidents, royalty and celebrities alike. Originally built in 1917, the Empire Ballroom's recent facelift, paired with its long history and prime location as an anchor of the Grand Central neighborhood, make the venue one of the most desirable in the U.S.

Known previously as the Commodore Ballroom, it was the place where President John F. Kennedy accepted the Democratic Party nomination for President in 1960. Martin Luther King gave a speech 1956 and former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton celebrated her victory of the New York Senate race.

The 18,000 square foot space accommodates 100 to 1,500 guests and can be elegantly divided into five function or meeting units. Tapping into architectural references from the original Commodore Ballroom, design firm Looney and Associates created a design and feel that upholds and celebrates the integrity of the legendary space.

Special touches of the Empire Ballroom include metal grillwork reminiscent of neighboring Grand Central Station and original tin tiling throughout the function spaces, respecting and enhancing the historic nature of the venue. The Ballroom also features beaded glass drapery in the entrance and an Italian marble foyer. The spectacular chandeliers are comprised of 7,000 individual hand-blown pieces of art glass creating a “champagne cloud,” giving the ballroom a sense of contemporary New York style.

The newly renovated space proves ideal for business meetings and functions of any size. Progressive audio-visual equipment has been installed along with permanent drop-down projection screens. Advanced LED lighting control system can create multiple hues and color tones to reflect the mood of each event. Both the ballroom and foyer feature enhanced communications and data packages, such as Category 6 branded communications infrastructure, to meet the needs of today's meetings.

To learn more about Grand Hyatt New York, please visit www.newyork.grandhyatt.com or call 1-800-233-1234 or 1-212-883-1234.

About Grand Hyatt New York With a premier location on 42nd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues, the Grand Hyatt New York lies in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Attached to the legendary Grand Central Terminal, the Grand Hyatt is just steps away from the city's best culture and attractions, including Times Square, Broadway, art, culinary experiences and world-class shopping.

The hotel has 1,311 guest rooms including 51 suites. The suites range in size from 600 to more than 3,500 square feet. The guest rooms feature the Hyatt “Grand Bed” and have large workspaces. The Grand Club provides added luxury offering elevator key access, complimentary breakfast, afternoon snacks and evening hors d'oeuvres and drinks. The Grand Hyatt New York is perfect for groups of any size. Boasting over 50 meeting rooms and 55,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel can accommodate groups from 10 to 1,500 people.