Late Fall Re-Opening To Generate New
and More Employment Opportunities
BOCA
RATON, FL (March 7, 2013)-- The Boca Raton Bridge Hotel, approved for a major
transformation into luxury 4-star status, will close during renovation
construction citing concerns for quality of guest comfort and service and the
safety and health of employees and guests for the decision. According to Boca
Raton Bridge Hotel General Manager Greg Kaylor, the hotel will close on April
29th, begin transformation in May, and remain closed until late fall upon
completion of full renovation. The preliminary phase of the Bridge
Hotel’s major “reinvention” was launched in November 2012 with the construction
of the hotel’s new “waterfront promenade” that flanks the property’s entire
Lake Boca perimeter.
The
Bridge Hotel remains one of Boca’s most notable, operating as a traditional
hotel, as new ownership repositions and reinvents it to be more relevant and
exciting to meet the desires and needs of today’s discerning vacationers as
well as social and business guests. Led by a seasoned team of designers and
hospitality, operations, management and marketing consultants, the hotel is
being completely transformed into a premier South Florida experience with its
own newly positioned distinctive signature in the destination.
“Over
the last five months, our designers, consultants, contractors, ownership and
management team have developed very exciting plans for the future of this
hotel,” Lane Hospitality Chief Operating Officer Wayne West shared with hotel
associates at a briefing on March 1. “The scope of the plan is significant
and the impacts of executing that plan are more comprehensive and integrated
today than were originally contemplated. While we have explored many options
relative to operating the hotel during the planned renovation period, we found
that ceasing hotel operations for a period of time represents our best solution
to renovating the physical structure without compromising our obligation to
provide a safe and secure facility.”
Kaylor
explained that it is not unusual for a boutique-sized hotel to close for a
period of time when undergoing an extensive transformation such as what is
planned for The Bridge Hotel that has long been in need of major structural and
technical upgrading.
“The
significant elevator and air-conditioning upgrading required to bring the hotel
built in 1976 to current standards and the reorganization planned of public
spaces during renovations would severely compromise our staff’s ability to
service food and beverage in-room and restaurant operations as well as guest
registration and housekeeping of guest accommodations,” explained Kaylor. “By
closing for a period of time, and not working around each phase of the process,
we are able to maintain a timeline in a safe environment to meet an anticipated
late fall opening as Boca’s busy ‘season’ begins.”
He
reported that only a minimal group of staff who will directly support the
property’s day-to-day transformation process management will be on-site. Upon
the completion of construction efforts, current employees may reapply for
unfilled positions with business necessity, expertise, and past performance
taken into account in making these decisions. He also noted that while the
final staffing plan not yet determined, the new transformation plans will
generate an increase in number of jobs available at the hotel at re-opening.
“In
respect and appreciation of our staff members’ dedicated untiring loyalty
through some long tumultuous financially challenged periods prior to new
ownership, we have continually kept them informed though the transformation
decision process,” said Kaylor. “Once the decision to close was made, we
provided 60 days prior notice and are offering additional compensation for
those who remain until the closing date.”
The
hotel’s complete transformation will include the introduction of entirely new
hospitality and dining concepts, further expansion waterfront amenities, and
extensive reorientation and renovations of public spaces, guestrooms, and
restaurants. Reinvention plans will take optimal advantage of the property’s
most distinctive assets: its prime location -- on the Intracoastal Waterway and
Lake Boca with direct access to Atlantic Ocean -- and its breathtaking water
views.
“There
are always certain spots in any city that really just have something unique
going for them and this particular piece of property is one of those rare finds
in our city where the entire public as they boat or drive or take walks can
utilize the ambiance and see the beauty of the lake and the location,” noted
City of Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel at Boca Raton City Council meeting when
approval was granted. “All of Boca will be very, very proud and happy when this
particular property is renovated. The beauty of the property is really
something to behold.”
AWH
Partners, LLC, identifies and acquires outstanding assets in key locations that
require operational and physical repositioning to achieve their highest and
best use. The Bridge is an established community icon in an enviable locale
with a longtime history serving as the locals’ favorite “guesthouse” for
visiting friends, family, and colleagues. The acquisition afforded the
partnership the opportunity to return to South Florida to expand its presence
add another “hotel repositioning success story” to its burgeoning portfolio.
The Lane Organization LLC enters into cities to reposition assets and team up
with management firms who can assimilate to their locations while standing out
amongst the competition. Lane Hospitality, the management firm for the
Boca Raton Bridge Hotel and unrelated to the Lane Organization LLC, is
committed to preserving, protecting and enhancing the value of hotel real
estate, and provides expertise in all facets of hospitality management and
brand marketing.
The
Boca Raton Bridge Hotel, one of Palm Beach County’s boutique icon hotels with
panoramic water views from every guest room, is located where the Intracoastal
Waterway and Lake Boca Raton meet at 999 East Camino Real in Boca Raton. Hotel
reservations are available until April 28th, visit www.bocaratonbridgehotel.com or call (561)
368-9500. For dining updates at WaterColors or reservations for Carmen’s
award-winning Sunday Brunch, call (561) 886-4570 or visit www.opentable.com.
About AWH Partners, LLC
AWH Partners, LLC, a joint venture between
August Group Ventures, LLC and Winston Harton Holdings, LLC, offers an
experienced institutional investment and management platform with dedicated
capital. For more information, visit www.awhpartners.com.
About August Group Ventures, LLC
August Group Ventures is a privately held
real estate investment, development and management firm founded in 2009 by New
York-based Related Companies veteran Chad Cooley to pursue opportunities in the
ailing hospitality market. August Group owns and manages hotels around
the United States and seeks opportunities to invest in and manage assets
requiring capital, repositioning and turn-around expertise. For more
information, visit www.augustgroupventures.com.
About Winston Harton Holdings, LLC
Winston Harton Holdings, LLC (WHH) was
established by Russell Flicker and Jonathan Rosenfeld to acquire distressed,
value-added and operationally intensive real estate assets through equity and
debt. Its principals have extensive experience and complementary skill sets in
the real estate sector, including acquisitions (private transactions and public
securities), capital markets and asset management and asset repositioning. WHH
will partner with both traditional institutional capital as well as private
pools of capital to pursue transactions ranging from $10-$250mm. For more
information, visit www.whhllc.com.
About The Lane Organization LLC
The Lane Organization LLC (“Lane
Organization”) was founded by Clifford P. Lane and his son Matthew in 2011.
Focusing on luxury hotels, the Lane Organization enters into cities to
reposition assets and team up with management firms who can assimilate to their
locations while standing out amongst the competition. The Lane Organization
emphasizes building strong partnerships while maintaining the company’s
core ideas, beliefs, and values to ensure the success of all of its properties.
For more information please visit www.thelaneorganization.com.
About Lane Hospitality
Lane Hospitality offers expertise in all
facets of hospitality management and is committed to preserving, protecting and
enhancing the value of hotel real estate. For more information, visit www.lanehospitality.com.
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