The award-winning architect group, Gwathmey Siegel & Associates, whose renowned work includes the renovation and addition of the acclaimed Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, will design the 25-story waterfront property that will be a striking landmark along the beautiful waterfront. The property will feature W's celebrated comforts including the signature W Living Room experience, a bar with amazing Manhattan views that will be the first scene of its kind in Hoboken, a destination restaurant, a 5,000 square-foot Bliss Spa and a fitness facility and include more than 11,000 square-feet of meeting space.

The hotel will be ideally located on the Hudson River waterfront with unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline, and quick ferry access will give guests a chance to experience the energy of the city without being confined to it. The hotels central location is also near the Meadowlands Sports Complex, Newark-Liberty International Airport and the heart of downtown Hoboken's entertainment and nightlife.

"We are thrilled that the first W Hotel and Residences project to debut in the northeast will be designed by world renown design firm of Gwathmey Siegel. The property will surely be a key centerpiece of the ongoing, exciting revival of Hoboken's downtown and waterfront district," said Starwood Chairman and CEO Barry S. Sternlicht. "The magnificent views of Manhattan's skyline and stunning waterfront setting and the ability to do a perfect W with all its components make this the perfect site for our next W."

"Hoboken is delighted that W has chosen our community as their first site in the State of New Jersey," said Hoboken's Mayor, the Honorable David Roberts. "This further validates our city's reputation as an important destination in the New York metropolitan region and greatly enhances the value of our southern waterfront."

The W Hoboken Hotel and Residences will offer the opportunity for a select group of homeowners to purchase luxury hotel condominium residences that have all the benefits of being attached to a W Hotel. Owners of the W Residences will have full use of all the W Hotel's facilities, as well as have options of 24-hour room service, daily maid service, and concierge services.

W recently announced its first hotel in Europe, the W Barcelona, and will open two international hotels in the coming months, the W Seoul-Walkerhill later this summer and the W Montreal in September. The W Maldives-Fesdhu, W's first resort, is scheduled to open in 2005, followed by the W Dallas in 2006 and the W Fort Lauderdale in 2007. Currently, there are 18 W Hotels brandwide in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle, Honolulu, Silicon Valley, San Diego, Atlanta, Mexico City and Sydney.

Starwood operates thirteen hotels in New Jersey including the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel & Conference Center, The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village and the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high-quality vacation interval ownership resorts. 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
www.starwood.com