Mar. 10, 2008 - A North Dallas hotel is getting a $10 million redo and will be rebranded as the Le Meridien.

The 11-story hotel at Noel Road and Peterson Lane was originally built as a Hilton Suites hotel. And it's recently been operated as the Prava Suites by the Galleria.

The 258-room hotel is located just across the street from the landmark shopping mall and office complex.

Work will start in April to remodel the building, according to Robert Sawyer, director of sales and marketing

"Everything from the front drive, entire lobby and all public spaces, guestrooms, meeting space and restaurant will be renovated with a completely new decor and culture," Mr. Sawyer said.

"We feel that with the modern, sophisticated edge of many of the new projects in the Galleria area, the Le Meridien style will only help to enhance the current and future image of this market," he said.

Renovation of the hotel -- constructed in 2001 -- is expected to take seven to nine months.

The property is owned by a California-based partnership, according to tax records.

The Le Meridien project is one of several new developments on the horizon for the area around the intersection of LBJ Freeway and the Dallas North Tollway.

Construction is currently under way to renovate the 26-year-old Westin Hotel at the Galleria.

And a high-rise luxury hotel is planned in the adjoining Icon Midtown development.

Mr. Sawyer said the owners of the Le Meridien hope to capture increased market share with a small, specialized project.

"Purely from a hotel standpoint, the North Dallas market lacks the modern style and creative influences that properties such as Hotel ZaZa, the W Hotel and the Hotel Palomar have," he said.

Those hotels have played a role in the developments in Uptown and close-in North Dallas, Mr. Sawyer said.

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