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Norfolk, Virginia for a Proposed 240 room Hilton |
| NORFOLK, VA, January 09, 2006 � The City of Norfolk, Virginia has announced
that the burgeoning seaside city will see its fleet of hotel accommodations
supplemented by a new, 240-room Hilton Hotel in 2008, backed by billionaire
and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), Robert L. Johnson.
Johnson secured the deal with The City of Norfolk and locally-based Fulco
Development through his real estate company RLJ Development LLC, the largest
African-American hotel investment company in the U.S.
�We are very excited about this vital hotel project coming to Norfolk,� says Anthony DiFilippo, President and CEO of the Norfolk Convention and Visitor�s Bureau, �not only will it add another needed property and stay experience for busy business travelers and tourists; it also serves as a testament to the city�s strong African-American community.� Located in the heart of the downtown waterfront on Main and Granby Streets, the full service hotel will also feature 50 residential condominium units, approximately 70,000 square feet of rentable space of which includes 23,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a signature restaurant, retail space, a lobby café and lounges. An enclosed garage estimated to accommodate 500 vehicles is being proposed. While the project is in the pre-development phase, construction is expected to begin in early 2007, to be completed in spring 2008. �We are delighted to be involved in this important project,� said Robert L. Johnson, CEO & Chairman, The RLJ Companies. �We believe The City of Norfolk is an ascending city with great leadership and great development potential. A project of this scale will assist the city in realizing its growth potential. We look forward to this premiere project.� The new Hilton will join Norfolk�s abundant hotel offerings, totaling 5,200 hotel rooms, which includes the 23-story Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel, offering 405 guest rooms and eight suites, many with stunning views of the waterfront; the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside, Norfolk�s only waterfront hotel, with 445 deluxe guest rooms, and 20 spacious suites; Radisson Hotel Norfolk, which features 339 guest rooms and is located a short walk, or free shuttle ride, from the downtown waterfront; The Tazewell Hotel, built in 1906, a seven-story boutique hotel which stands as a symbol of the city�s rebirth having recently undergone a $9 million renovation; and The Freemason Inn, a turn of the century Victorian home set in the historic Freemason District along cobblestone streets and tree lined walks. Long known for its military roots, Norfolk has established a place in tourism, offering world-class dining such as the chef-owned Todd Jurich�s Bistro and newcomer Vintage Kitchen; renowned cultural opportunities at the Chrysler Museum of Art, the historic Attucks Theatre and the Virginia Opera as well as a wealth of historical landmarks and educational opportunities with the Battleship Wisconsin, the MacArthur Memorial and The National Maritime Center. RLJ Development, LLC (�RLJ�) is one of the RLJ Companies controlled by Robert L. Johnson. RLJ is a privately held real estate investment company founded and led by Robert L. Johnson and Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr. RLJ and its affiliates currently own 28 hotels in major markets in North America valued in excess of over $1 billion dollars. Fulco Development Inc., headquartered in Downtown Norfolk, is a diversified real estate development company. The Company develops, acquires, and owns both commercial and residential real estate. �This is our first hotel project and we are fortunate to have an esteemed partner such as RLJ,� says William Fuller, President and Fulco Development CEO. Mr. Fuller established Fulco Development in 2001 and is a former 13 year veteran of the National Football League. The New Norfolk is a great American city, reborn through urban redevelopment that has transformed it into a major visitor destination. Norfolk hosts millions of visitors annually to its diverse attractions, from nautical adventures and high-end shopping to year-round special events and big name entertainment, all just minutes away from Virginia�s other top attractions. |
| Contact:
Christine Wilson/Liz Dyer
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