ORLANDO, FL/SAVANNAH, GA (August 29, 2003) � Orlando based hotel developer Richard C. Kessler, president and CEO of The Kessler Enterprise, Inc./The Kessler Collection, closed on the construction/mini-permanent loan for the restoration and new construction of the 125-room Mansion on Forsyth Park luxury hotel located in Savannah which will open by January 2005.  Kessler, who was born and raised in Savannah, recently purchased the historic, Kehoe House Bed and Breakfast Inn on Columbia Square and also owns the Hampton Inn Savannah North. 
 

The financing for the project was provided by Columbus Bank and Trust in Columbus, Georgia and Gray Reese of Gray Reese and Associates of Atlanta, is the architect while PCL Construction Group Inc. is the general contractor.  The original 18,000 sq. ft. Mansion was designed by A. S. Eichberg and constructed in 1888 for $45,000 by Lewis Kayton.   It is located at 700 Drayton Street across from the famous, 20-acre Forsyth Park.

The 176-seat restaurant will offer a sushi bar, an extensive wine list, private dining rooms, two bars and an outside balcony overlooking Forsyth Park.

The hotel will also feature a culinary arts cooking school with daily and weekly programs that can accommodate up to 16 people.  The school will be taught by the renowned Kessler Collection Chefs along with the Mansion�s Executive and Sous� Chefs. 

In addition, the Grand Bohemian Gallery will be opening its second location within the hotel.  Based in Orlando and located within The Westin Grand Bohemian Hotel - a sister property, the Grand Bohemian Gallery will feature a selection of original oil paintings, bronze and wood sculptures, art glass, contemporary jewelry, and unique gift items.

The adjacent four-story building will be comprised of 125 oversized rooms of which 11 are suites, a 3,500 sq. ft. spa, fitness center and an outdoor pool.  Each room will feature a classical and elegant design with a modern edge by offering 9 ft. or 12 ft. ceilings, oversized soaking tubs, Vintage tubs or Jacuzzis, pillow top mattresses, down comforters and pillows,  two dual-line telephones with dataport for high-speed Internet access, CD clock radio, safe and flat screen televisions.   The Bohemian floor, located on the 2nd floor, will feature draped bathroom walls and a dramatically different color scheme.

The Mansion will offer over 9,500 sq. ft. of meeting space between six rooms and the courtyard. The 3,850 sq. ft. Crystal Ballroom will have gold and silver leafed columns, crystal chandeliers, wood ornate ceilings and antiqued mirrors that can accommodate weddings, business meetings and special events for up to 300 guests.  Located outside of the main ballroom, is the courtyard that is surrounded by large pink columns, a fountain, and the pool with a water wall.  Valet parking will also be available in a landscaped secured parking lot.

The Mansion on Forsyth Park shares the legendary name and refined standards of Richard C. Kessler�s hotel collection.  The Kessler Collection includes the AAA four-diamond Casa Monica Hotel in historic, St. Augustine, FL; the AAA four-diamond Westin Grand Bohemian � voted 2002 Westin Hotel�s �Best in Brand� in Orlando; the AAA four-diamond Celebration Hotel in Celebration; Historic Kehoe House Bed and Breakfast Inn in Savannah; Hampton Inn Savannah North; Doubletree Castle Hotel in Orlando; Sheraton Studio City Hotel in Orlando; Red Horse Inn in Orlando; the Sheraton Safari Hotel� an affiliated property, in Orlando and the Colorado Nature Ranch in Grand Junction � slated to open September 2004.