ANNAPOLIS,
Md.--October 30, 2012--Chesapeake Lodging Trust (NYSE: CHSP) (the
"Trust") announced today that it has acquired the 222-room The Hotel Minneapolis, a Marriott Autograph
Collection hotel, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota for a purchase
price of $46.0 million, or approximately $207,000 per key. The Trust
funded the acquisition with a borrowing under its revolving credit
facility. The Trust entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of HEI
Hotels and Resorts, the hotel’s current operator, to manage the
property and will continue its affiliation with Marriott under the
Autograph Collection.
James L. Francis, the Trust’s President and Chief Executive Officer,
stated, “We are thrilled to expand our portfolio with another
high-quality, full-service boutique lifestyle property located in the
core CBD of Minneapolis. The property has been meticulously restored
and is one of the premier hotels in the city.”
The Hotel Minneapolis, located at 215 Fourth Street South, is
conveniently connected to the city skywalk system which links more than
80 blocks and over 26 million square feet of prominent office and
retail buildings throughout downtown Minneapolis. The 10-story property
features 22 suites, 6,000 square feet of meeting and catering space,
the 250-seat Max Restaurant and Bar, a large business center, fitness
center and approximately 12,000 square feet of leased tenant space.
“While we don’t value the tenant cash flow separately from the hotel’s
operations, these spaces enhance the cash flow of the property by over
10%,” continued Mr. Francis.
The Hotel Minneapolis’ lobby and ground floor, through a thoughtful
restoration program, retained original details and features of the
historic 1906 Midland Bank building, including the marble floors and
panels, marble columns, and expansive ceilings with detailed hand
carved plaster ornamentations. Original bank vaults have been
incorporated throughout its modern design, including Audrey’s Vault,
the original bank cashier vault now serving as the hotel’s social
catering space centerpiece and the hotel’s wine cellar. Mr. Francis
continued, “The overall attention to the smallest of details is
remarkable; this is truly a special property and excellent addition to
our portfolio.”
ABOUT CHESAPEAKE LODGING TRUST
Chesapeake Lodging Trust is a self-advised lodging real estate
investment trust (REIT) focused on investments primarily in
upper-upscale hotels in major business and convention markets and, on a
selective basis, premium select-service hotels in urban settings or
unique locations in the United States. The Trust owns 15 hotels with an
aggregate of 4,722 rooms in seven states and the District of Columbia.
Additional information can be found on the Trust’s website at www.chesapeakelodgingtrust.com.