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    Big D Hotel Associates Completing Restoration of 
Historic Paramount Hotel in Downtown Dallas, $4 million 
Renovation Includes Name Change to Hotel Lawrence
DALLAS (July 26, 2001) -- The historic Paramount Hotel in downtown Dallas is nearing completion on a $4 million top-to-bottom makeover. According to hotel general manager Bill Brown, the historic landmark will be a highly personalized European boutique hotel when it is christened the Hotel Lawrence in early August.
        
"The hotel's refurbishment touches on all areas, from guest rooms to meeting rooms and public space.  The Hotel Lawrence will be a viable new meetings and travel option in Dallas, and its refurbishment will contribute substantially to the preservation efforts of the greater downtown area" Brown said. 
            
Big D Hotel Associates, an Annapolis, Md.-based hotel company, purchased the 118-room hotel on Oct. 18, 2000.  Magna Hospitality Group, also of Annapolis, was named to manage it.  After the sale became official, Magna president Bill Burruss announced plans for his firm to begin an immediate refurbishment of the 10-story landmark.  The 76-year-old hotel, which over the years also has been called the Scott, Lawrence and Bradford hotels, is located at the corner of Jackson and Houston across the street from the Dallas Visitors Center and near Union Station, Reunion Arena, the Dallas Convention Center and the West End Historic District.

The hotel's restoration is scheduled for completion in early October.  It will feature 1,500-square-feet of meeting and banquet space, 108 deluxe guest rooms and 10 luxury suites. Highlights are

  • Improvements to the exterior such as new paint (a dark yellow with olive green trim); new benches, signs and plants at the street-level entrance; and the installation of new windows on the east and north sides of the building.   
  • Enhancements to the lobby such as new paint (stained in a "rich" mahogany), artwork, lighting, fine handmade furniture, and a reconstructed front desk that provides better accessibility and improved services for guests. 
The Magna Hospitality Group, L.C. was formed in 1998 and is an outgrowth of Grand Heritage Hotels.  Magna's founder and President is William F. Burruss, who was the co-founder and President of Grand Heritage Hotels. Magna's remaining principles are Paul E. Denyer and Robert A. Indeglia. Mr. Denyer held interest in Grand Heritage Hotels as well as equity positions in a number of hotels managed by Grand Heritage Hotels. Mr. Indeglia served as outside legal counsel for Grand Heritage until it was sold to Patriot American Hospitality in 1997. 

Through its strategic alliances with financial institutions, experienced hotel equity investors and franchisers, Magna is positioned to draw upon its considerable hospitality management experience, depth, and financial stability to develop additional hotel properties.

The Magna Hospitality Group's business philosophy is marketing and sales driven emphasizing long-term ownership and service that creates positive guest experiences. Magna employs an operating philosophy whereby the local property's management team is empowered to make "good business sense" decisions with quick responses to events and opportunities. Extensive local participation in community and civic activities is encouraged. Through the implementation of a customer focused philosophy, Magna has experienced remarkable success in a fast-changing industry.

Today, the Magna Hospitality Group owns The Hotel Lawrence, Dallas, Texas; The Eastland Park Hotel, Portland, Maine; The Hagerstown Ramada Inn and Conference Center, Hagerstown, Maryland; The Plantation Holiday Inn, Plantation, Florida; and the Days Inn, Fort Pierce, Florida; and manages Le Grand Lodge in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.


 
 
  • The addition of a key-access-only business center and fully equipped workout room on the second floor.    
  • The conversion of storage areas on the second floor to three state-of-the-art executive board rooms and the addition of an adjoining upscale Continental breakfast room.  The gathering areas will include the latest computer, communication and audiovisual equipment and hook-ups.   
  • Guest room makeovers that include new wall coverings and carpets in gold and olive green colors; bedding, drapes, TV entertainment centers, and computer hook-ups.  Adjoining baths will feature new imported Italian tile floors, state-of-the-art pedestal (round) sinks, mirrors, lighting, and refinished original tubs equipped with new shower heads and body massagers.
"We're working two floors at a time from the top down," Brown added.  "Visitors to the Greater Dallas area say they are excited about what they're seeing and anticipating good things.  Their patience will be rewarded with a lovely unique boutique hotel -- the top landmark of its kind in Dallas and the surrounding region."
        
The Hotel Lawrence opened in its current building in 1925.  It was first known as the Scott Hotel and later as the Hotel Lawrence.  Kerr Cos. of Minneapolis re-opened the property as the Bradford in February, 1981.  The Edward J. Safdie Group later purchased the hotel, refurbishing the landmark in time for the 1984 Republican National Convention.  The hotel later was purchased by Dallas Hotel Associates and renamed the Paramount.

###

Contact:
Hotel Lawrence
Bill Brown
[email protected]
(214) 761-9090
http://www.hotellawrencedallas.com

Also See Denver Developer Steve Holtze to Transform Post-Dispatch Building in Downtown Houston into a $50 million Hotel / May 2001
The 1,842 Room Adam�s Mark Hotel, Dallas, Refinanced for $180,000,000; One of the Largest Hotel Property Financings This Year / Oct 2000 


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