Hospitality Design - January/February 2015 - 90

under the radar

cleveland and
columbus
The Midwest may be known more for
farmlands than hospitality development, but
that narrative, especially in Cleveland and
Columbus, is quickly changing. The tale of
these two cities is born of a common thread:
community investment. Each is seeing
growth driven by Millennials (and Baby
Boomers) moving to the central business
districts, a strong cultural presence, and the
benefit of stable economies.
According to Lodging Econometrics, as
of the fourth quarter of 2014 Cleveland had
22 hotels in the pipeline with 3,011 hotel
rooms, while Columbus has 2,150 rooms in
18 hotels planned or under construction.
"There's a perception of value for these two
cities and Midwestern markets," explains

Stacey Nadolny, senior vice president,
partner, and director of operations for
hospitality consulting firm HVS Chicago.
Part of the reason is Chicago, for example,
is now pricing itself out, opening the door
for tertiary markets such as Cleveland and
Columbus to attract new development.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts has been
a champion of these two Ohio cities, with
Le Méridiens entering both markets. "From
the bustling theater scene in Cleveland to
the growing number of art galleries, coffee
shops, and boutiques in Columbus, these
cities have quite a bit to offer Le Méridien's
creative-minded travelers," explains
Anthony Ingham, who oversees St. Regis
Hotels & Resorts, Luxury Collection, W
Hotels, and Le Méridien as vice president of
North America brand management.

1. The Metropolitan at
the 9, part of Marriott's
Autograph Collection,
opened in Cleveland in
September.
2. The McCartandesigned Westin
Cleveland Downtown
relies on an industrial
aesthetic.
3. The two-story
lobby of Le Méridien
Columbus, the Joseph
features art from the
Pizzuti Collection.
4. dash design's Urban
Farmer in Cleveland
offers a rural chic
design.

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January/February 2015 hospitalitydesign.com

Cleveland

Once prosperous based in part on its steel
production, Cleveland flailed when that
industry waned. Since then, the city has
gone through many iterations, only recently
hitting its stride as home to renowned
universities (Case Western Reserve), top
hospitals (Cleveland Clinic), numerous
professional sports teams, and the recently
opened Global Center for Health Innovation
adjacent to the Cleveland Convention Center.
"Cleveland isn't flying under the
radar, it's primed for new development,"
Nadolny says. Supply going in downtown
alone includes the recently opened
Westin Cleveland Downtown (designed
by New York-based firm McCartan); the
Metropolitan at the 9, part of Marriott's
Autograph Collection (designed by GLSD
Architects); and Aloft Cleveland Downtown
(by engineering, design, and architecture
firm URS); while future properties include
the 600-room Hilton Cleveland/Downtown
Convention Center Hotel (with interiors by
Anderson/Miller and architecture led by
Cooper Carry); a 161-room Kimpton (New
York-based Warren Red will help with the
interiors); and a 206-key adaptive reuse Le
Méridien (Starwood is working with Gettys
on the design).
The Westin, which opened last May, is
capturing business travelers and natives
with a design that showcases Cleveland
culture-most notably its 1,500 pieces by
local artists. And the ADR of the 484-room
property has been exceptionally strong.
By eyeing big conventions, including the
Republican National Convention in 2016 and
events like the Gay Games (held in 2014),
Cleveland is hoping to be more competitive
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