�We�re very excited to continue our relationship with Aimbridge Hospitality,� said Jesse Clark, Songy Partners Senior Development Director. �They have done an outstanding job with our projects in other markets, and we have tremendous confidence that they will do the same with the aloft Houston Galleria. This hotel will add a new dimension to the Galleria area by finally bringing the urban-boutique hotel experience to a market that has long been underserved. Starwood�s aloft concept of affordable, chic accommodations for the contemporary business traveler and vacationer will do very well in Houston.�

Aimbridge Hospitality currently manages the Hilton Garden Inn in Dallas, a Songy property. The five-year-old company presently owns or operates 44 branded and independent hotels that are open or expected to open, and six additional properties are in development. 

�This property will put the aloft brand on the map with international leisure travelers � especially those from Mexico and Central America who frequent the Houston Galleria,� said Aimbridge Hospitality President and CEO Dave Johnson. �Feedback from the local community has been very positive, and we believe that affluent international guests will be as delighted as we are to see this Starwood brand entering the market.  We look forward to adding yet another aloft  -- and another AmREIT /Songy partnership property -- to our portfolio.�

Aimbridge Hospitality will open four aloft hotels this year, one in Chicago and three in Plano, Las Colinas and Frisco, Texas. 

Location, Location, Location

The Houston Galleria is an upscale mixed-use urban development centrally located in the Uptown District of Houston. It�s one of the largest business districts in the country, and located at one of the busiest surface-street intersections in the country, Post Oak Blvd. at Westheimer Road. The aloft Houston Galleria is located at the corner of Westheimer and Yorktown. The Galleria consists of a retail complex, the Galleria Financial Center, two Westin hotels, and private health club. It is the largest shopping mall in Texas, and the 7th largest in the United States.  

As a Vision of W Hotels, aloft is shaking up the lodging industry with urban-influenced design, accessible technology, style and a social atmosphere. aloft offers a total sensory experience, with guest lofts featuring loft-like nine-foot ceilings and oversized windows to create a bright, airy environment. The centerpiece of the loft room is the ultra-comfortable signature bed, and large stylish bathrooms complement the guest experience with oversized walk-in showers and amenities created by bliss® spa. Each guest loft is also a combination high-tech office and entertainment center, featuring wireless internet access and plug & play, a one-stop connectivity solution for multiple electronic gadgetry such as PDAs, cell phones, mp3 players and laptops - all linked to a large flat panel HDTV ready television for optimal sound and viewing. 

In addition to the aloft hotel, the AmREIT/Songy partnership will begin renovating the adjacent office building later this year. The office building will receive renovations to the lobby, common area, elevators and hardscapes. Prosperity Bank is the largest tenant in the building. The renovations come at an ideal time, with Houston ranked as one of the top cities to invest in office, retail and industrial market sectors, according to Grubb & Ellis� list of top U.S. cities for commercial real estate investors in 2008.

ABOUT AIMBRIDGE HOSPITALITY
Aimbridge Hospitality is a hotel real estate and management company created to identify investment opportunities throughout the United States. Aimbridge provides management, asset management, capital renovation, supervision, accounting and consulting services for its strategic partners. Aimbridge currently operates hotel properties in the Embassy Suites, Doubletree, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Sheraton, Hyatt and Wyndham brands. Aimbridge also manages a number of independent hotels, including the Phoenix Inn & Suites brand of hotels and has several projects under development in the Starwood, Marriott and Hilton enterprises. For more information on Aimbridge Hospitality, please visit the company�s Web site at www.aimbridgehospitality.com.

ABOUT AmREIT
AmREIT (AMEX:AMY) is a full service real estate company dedicated to providing the highest standard of service and value to its clients, partners and investors. For 24 years, AmREIT has delivered on its vision to become the Irreplaceable Corner� company through investments, acquisitions, value-add developments and management of high quality retail and mixed-use properties. AmREIT has more than 1.3 million square feet in various stages of development, re-development or in the pipeline for its advisory funds. AmREIT is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has an office in Dallas. To learn more, visit www.amreit.com.

ABOUT SONGY PARTNERS
Songy Partners LLC (www.songypartners.com) is a commercial real estate firm based in Atlanta, with company offices and projects in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Mexico City, Knoxville, Fort Myers, Boca Raton, Lafayette, and Dallas. The partnership was formed to acquire, renovate and develop institutional quality real estate projects throughout the United States.

ABOUT STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood(R) Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, W(R), Le Meridien(R) and the recently announced Aloft(SM) and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

ABOUT ALOFT
Infused with the DNA of W Hotels, Aloft is a new destination sensation featuring loft-inspired design, accessible technology and a stylish urban attitude. Starwood anticipates the first Aloft hotels to open in 2008, with 500 properties worldwide expected by 2012. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com.

Barb Worcester
President/Principal
PRPro
Tel: (440) 930-5770
[email protected]