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-- 11th Hotel in Marcus Hotels and Resorts' Management Portfolio |
| MILWAUKEE -- Oct. 5, 2001-- Marcus Hotels and Resorts, a division of
The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced the official opening
of the Hotel Phillips, a 217-room, magnificently restored historic hotel
in Kansas City, Mo. The property is the 11th hotel in Marcus Hotels and
Resorts' management portfolio and is part of the division's strategic expansion
of its management operations nationwide. The company also manages the Marcus
Vacation Club, a time share development operation located at its Grand
Geneva Resort and Spa.
Built in 1931, the upscale art deco property, located at 12th and Baltimore Streets in downtown Kansas City, has undergone a $20 million renovation that has transformed the Hotel Phillips into the city's hippest, trendiest hotel while retaining its historic roots. "The Hotel Phillips showcases Marcus Hotels and Resorts' expertise in renovation and turn-around management and demonstrates our ability to successfully update unique and historic properties," said William Otto, president and chief operating officer of Marcus Hotels and Resorts. "The Hotel Phillips now joins two other historic properties in Marcus' portfolio, the famed Pfister Hotel and the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, both located in Milwaukee. Otto went on to add, "In difficult operating conditions, owners tend to gravitate toward more experienced operators like Marcus with proven track records. We continue to aggressively seek new third-party management opportunities." "The Phillips Hotel had a soft opening on September 14 to allow us time to get up to full speed operationally and has performed very well, especially in light of the recent tragic events that have severely hampered the travel industry. This past weekend, the property participated in hosting a citywide, national convention and ran at nearly full occupancy. Equally encouraging was the `buzz' the `new' Hotel Phillips generated among the 5,000 convention attendees. Future booking patterns have been better than expected for a hotel in the early ramp-up stage." Otto noted that the Hotel Phillips has received glowing reviews from city officials, local media and guests. "We have been overwhelmed with favorable comments about our painstaking restoration of the past glory of the hotel, combined with just the right touches of technology and other modern elements. An historic hotel doesn't mean an old hotel. The Hotel Phillips was at the cutting edge when it opened in 1931, and it remains so in 2001." Otto said that the hotel is getting equally favorable responses from both business and leisure travelers, as well as from the meetings and convention segments. The property can accommodate groups up to 150 people. Located in the heart of the downtown district, the Hotel Phillips plans to target the more than 55,000 people who work in the immediate area. "Our two restaurants and bars will be `the' food and beverage venues to `see and be seen in' downtown," Otto commented. "We intend to maintain an aura of innovation and edginess to our outlets that will attract repeat local business. "The travel industry is beginning to rebound from the terrorist attacks of September 11," Otto noted. "We are fortunate that heartland-America cities like Kansas City are resilient and are rapidly returning to business. We are pleased to provide support to the families of the victims of this senseless tragedy through special fund-raising programs at the hotel that will benefit the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund." Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., The Marcus Corporation is comprised
of three divisions: limited-service lodging, movie theatres and hotels/resorts.
In addition to Marcus Hotels and Resorts, the company currently operates
or franchises 188 Baymont Inns & Suites in 31 states, and seven Woodfield
Suites in five states; 473 movie screens in Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois and
Minnesota, and one family entertainment center in Wisconsin. For more information,
visit the company's Web site at www.marcuscorp.com.
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The Marcus Corporation Doug Neis, 414/905-1100 |
| Also See | Marcus Acquires Phillips House Hotel, Kansas City; Will Completely Renovate Historic Hotel / May 2000 |