(TAMPA, FL – 12/10/14) – Le Méridien Tampa, downtown Tampa’s newest luxury hotel, has been recognized by Historic Hotels of America as one of 24 inductees for 2014. Listed in the National Register for Historic Places, the former federal courthouse, built in 1905, has experienced new life as an upscale hotel, featuring meeting and banquet space, along with Bizou Brasserie, a French-inspired restaurant.

Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation® for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. The organization was founded in 1989, and today has more than 250 historic hotels that have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America, including 46 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

To be nominated and selected for membership, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; have been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and be recognized as having historic significance.

“It’s exciting to become part of the Historic Hotels of America family,” said Gary Prosterman, president and CEO of Development Services Group, Inc. “This project was truly a labor of love for our development team, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results of the adaptive reuse of this beautiful old courthouse.”

Opened in June 2014, Le Méridien Tampa has quickly become a downtown hotspot for out-of-town guests and locals alike, who appreciate the not only its historic destination, but the hotel’s attention to arts, culture and cuisine. Developed by Development Services Group, Inc. and managed by Maximum Hospitality, the 130-room hotel has already been recognized as the top-ranked North American Starwood Le Méridien hotel for guest satisfaction.

Le Méridien Tampa is located at 601 North Florida Avenue, Tampa. For more information, visit LeMeridienTampa.com or contact General Manager Brent Scarbro at (813) 221-9555.