Construction Begins on Tallahassee's "Round Hotel" - SLIDE SHOW - WCTV

TALLAHASSEE, Fl. – September 20, 2011 - Noon -

The Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown announced today the kick-off of its multi-million dollar complete property transformation of "Tallahassee‟s Round Hotel" at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and press conference.

"The renovation of this iconic hotel property has provided us with a unique opportunity to not only restore a city landmark, but also set a new standard for sustainable re-development with the city of Tallahassee," said Peter Walstra, Director of Operations for Union Hotel Company Tallahassee RLLLP.

Rockford Construction was selected as the project‟s General Contractor and is currently on site with many local sub-contractors working through the renovation scope. An anticipated opening date of early 2012 is on track.

The property will feature 164 guest rooms and modern suites and will be entirely smoke-free. Each room will be appointed with Starwood‟s signature Four Comfort Beds, 42" HD Flat-Screen LCD TV‟s, floor-to-ceiling windows, free wireless internet and premium vanity mirrors.

The hotel will also feature Juicy Blue Tapas Bar & Bistro, a full-service restaurant and lounge open for all three meal periods. "Juicy Blue will be known for delicious tapas selections and drink specials, combined with genuine hospitality by our staff, making it a great dining and entertainment value for the local community" said Bo Schmitz, Four Points General Manager.

The property will become a destination for the business and leisure traveler alike, featuring an expansive resort-style outdoor pool & deck, 24 hour fitness center and an upscale Grab-n-Go coffee kiosk with fresh pastries and custom espressos, lattes and cappuccinos.

The project is on track to receive the City‟s first hotel certification from the U.S. Green Building Council‟s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. This certification will also be the Four Points brand‟s first LEED-certified hotel in the world, and will represent a dedicated focus to responsible building and development practices, ensuring the facility is positioned to have a positive impact on environmental and health performance.

The hotel will feature many amenities to highlight the hotel‟s commitment to a sustainable lifestyle. A few examples include renewable flooring and wall covering selections like teak & bamboo, filtered water filling stations throughout the hotel to limit the use of plastic bottles, and bicycles on site for our guests to utilize during their stay to reduce carbon emissions.

When fully operational, the property is expected to employ between 80 and 100 associates. "We are excited to be bringing a significant number of jobs to the local community and look forward to creating an award-winning team by combining a unique group of individuals and cultivating a collaborative culture where each associate‟s opinion is valued," said Schmitz.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fl. – September 15, 2011 -