Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Completes $17 Million Meeting Space Renovation
PHILADELPHIA, PA - August 2, 2011 - The 1,408-room Philadelphia Marriott Downtown has just completed a $17 million renovation of its meeting space, it was announced today by Bill Walsh, General Manager. The hotel offers 92,000 square feet of meeting space and 72 meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Grand Ballroom which is 34,300 square feet and can hold up to 4,500 people.
According to Mr. Walsh, the renovation project at the hotel — which is the only Philadelphia property connected by skywalk to the Pennsylvania Convention Center — encompassed all of the hotel's meeting space, excluding the recently renovated Franklin Hall. Details of the renovation included the following:
- State-of-the-art lighting and audio systems
- Electronic reader board system
- New carpeting and wall vinyl
- New air walls with state-of-the-art sound proofing
- Bright fresh look with plenty of flexibility for meetings of up to 3000 guests
- Modern redesign of the sky bridge (pictured below)
A good portion of the meeting space and a small number of guest rooms at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown occupy part of the Headhouse, which was once home to the Reading Railroad Company. While the rail closed in 1984, urban renewal advocate Edmund Bacon pointed to the building's landmark status and saved it from demolition. The Headhouse then became the new Philadelphia Convention Center's main entrance, while the train shed became its Grand Hall and Ballroom. The former Reading Railroad offices on the Headhouse's upper floors were converted to meeting and ballroom facilities for the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown as well as more than 200 guest rooms.
The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown commands a towering presence in the heart of America's original capital. Surrounded by rich revolutionary history and culture, the hotel's downtown location puts guests in close proximity to the adjacent Pennsylvania Convention Center as well as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, both located within eight blocks. The hotel features Circ, for chic contemporary American cuisine and 13 for inspired American cuisine as well as a Starbucks Coffee in the lobby. The property also features a fitness center and indoor pool. For additional information, visit www.philadelphiamarriott.com or call 215-625-2900.
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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 
