McLean, Va. (August 30, 2012) – Embassy Suites Hotels, the upscale, all-suites hotel brand, announced today the “topping out” of Embassy Suites Chattanooga – Hamilton Place, signifying that the project has reached its maximum height and the structural framework is complete. Developed by Legacy Property Group and owned by Chattanooga Hotel Property Investment, the 203-suite, seven-story hotel will be the sixth Embassy Suites in Tennessee and one of the first in the state to feature the brand’s latest design concept, Design Option III. The hotel will be managed by Legacy Hotel Partners. Construction began on the property in April 2012 and it is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2013.

The construction milestone will be celebrated this afternoon at a barbecue hosted by Welbro Building Corporation, the general contractor for the project. Attendees include key stakeholders from ownership group Chattanooga Hotel Property Investment, developers Legacy Property Group, management company Legacy Hotel Partners and the project lender, BBVA Compass. Also in attendance will be local officials including Hamilton County mayor, Jim Coppinger; city of Chattanooga mayor, Rob Littlefield and Ruth’s Chris franchisee, Mark Oswald.

“We’re excited to mark this stage in the project’s development and look forward to finalizing construction of this Embassy Suites Design Option III hotel in Tennessee,” said Jim Holthouser, global head of Embassy Suites Hotels and Full Service Brands, Hilton Worldwide. “As the anchor of a vibrant mixed use development, we’re confident our partners will make this property a desired destination for business and leisure travelers looking for an upscale hotel option in the Chattanooga area.”

The hotel, designed by PFVS Architecture and Carver & Associates, is being constructed in the Waterside development at Shallowford Road and I-75, in Chattanooga, Tenn. A Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse inside the property will be open to both hotel guests and local patrons. The hotel and restaurant are expected to employ approximately 150 team members upon completion. The Waterside development also houses a variety of shops and restaurants including hhgregg, Fit For A Queen, Mellow Mushroom, The Melting Pot and Bridget Davis Salon. Future plans include adding residences to the development, as well.

“We’re thrilled to see construction progressing on the hotel as the overall development continues to take shape,” said Ken and Byron DeFoor, principals, Chattanooga Hotel Property Investment. “The unique upscale, all-suites product that Embassy Suites offers, combined with their exceptional customer service, truly rounds out our vision for the Waterside area.”

Embassy Suites Chattanooga – Hamilton Place is a Design Option III property, which decreases the amount of land needed and creates efficiencies for both construction and operational costs. The innovative and flexible design features a variety of side-by-side suites, shotgun suites and one-room suites, in addition to a contemporary atrium area. These features further enhance the guest experience, as there is still a great sense of space and more natural light in guest rooms and public areas like the atrium.

The hotel will feature all of the signature amenities standard at any Embassy Suites hotel, including free cooked-to-order breakfast each morning, a complimentary two-hour Manager’s Reception* each evening, two-room suites with a separate living area, private bedroom and wet bar fitted with a microwave, refrigerator and sink. Suites will also be equipped with two flat panel high-definition televisions. The property will also offer 10,000 square feet of meeting space, complimentary 24/7 fitness and business centers, an indoor pool and a second floor deck space that can be utilized for events.

For more information on Embassy Suites Chattanooga – Hamilton Place, please visit www.embassysuites.com. For development queries, please visit www.embassyfranchise.com .

*Service of alcohol subject to state and local laws. Must be of legal drinking age.

About Embassy Suites Hotels
Embassy Suites Hotels, one of Hilton Worldwide’s ten market-leading brands, gives guests more during every stay. The full service, upscale brand offers spacious two-room suites, free cooked-to-order breakfast and a nightly Manager’s Reception with complimentary appetizers and beverages. Both leisure and business travelers looking for an approachable, upscale experience feel right at home in the brand’s inviting atrium environment. Embassy Suites Hotels has 213 properties across the Americas and an additional 26 in the pipeline. For more information, visit embassysuites.com, and connect with Embassy Suites at embassysuitesmediacenter.com, facebook.com/embassysuiteshotels and twitter.com/EmbassySuites.

About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,800 hotels and timeshare properties, with 630,000 rooms in 88 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

Chattanooga Hotel Property Investment
Ken and Byron DeFoor, the principals of Defoor Brothers Development, have nearly thirty years of real estate development in the greater Chattanooga area.  Their portfolio and development experience includes mixed-use lifestyle centers, office buildings, shopping centers, subdivisions, and health care related entities.  Ken is the largest office developer in Hamilton County, with over 306,000 square feet of office completed over the last few years.  Byron has a track record of success in the acquisition, ownership, and operations of health care facilities, nursing homes, and retirement communities.  With this expertise, Byron founded Grace Healthcare, which currently owns or operates thirty-five nursing homes and assisted living facilities in California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia. http://defoorbrothersdevelopment.com/

Legacy Hotel Partners
Legacy Hotel Partners (LHP) is an affiliate of Legacy Property Group that offers hotel asset management and property management services. The organization has extensive resources and experience in hotel property operations, food & beverage, sales & marketing, training, human resources, accounting/finance, revenue management and purchasing. LHP is led by Mr. Kevin Richards, a 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry working with nationally recognized management companies such as Winegardner & Hammons, Prime Hospitality, and Lodgian, Inc. LHP is approved by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, and Hilton Worldwide to operate upper-upscale hotels within their respective brand families.