First Bristol Corporation Opens the 110-room Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown; $20 million Project Revitalized the Historic Old Colony Bank Building / March 2009

Hotel Online
News for the Hospitality Executive

First Bristol Corporation Opens the 110-room Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown;
$20 million Project Revitalized the Historic Old Colony Bank Building
.

PROVIDENCE, RI � (March 27, 2009) � First Bristol Corporation announced today the opening of its new 110-room Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown located at 58 Weybosset Street in the heart of the city�s financial district. This $20 million hotel development project revitalized the historic Old Colony Bank building, transforming the property from what was most recently St. Francis Chapel into a world class hotel featuring 37 suites, 32 king rooms, 40 standard rooms, fitness center, business center and conference rooms. The official ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15 at 11:00 a.m.

�We�re thrilled to open our newest Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Providence,� said James Karam, president, First Bristol Corporation, the developers and managers of the new Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown. �Hampton Inn & Suites is a leader in the mid-priced segment. This new property will provide business and leisure travelers with affordable high-quality accommodations directly in downtown Providence. And, considering today�s economy, we�re opening at the right time and at the right location for the city.�

As the first new hotel to open in Providence since May 2007, the Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown offers rates starting at $159. The hotel employs 50 full/part-time staff, and provides an extensive list of complimentary amenities including free airport valet service, high-speed Internet access, and full-menu breakfast.

In addition, guest rooms feature hi-definition plasma televisions, iPod-compatible stereo systems, deluxe bedding, in-room microwaves and refrigerators.

In November 2007, First Bristol Corporation commissioned the Providence office of Newport Collaborative Architects, Inc. to convert the Old Colony Bank into the new Hampton Inn & Suites. The project called for the complete renovation of the existing 50,000 square foot, 11-story building and construction of a new ten-story, 27,000 square foot addition to compliment the historic structure and streetscape.

First Bristol Corporation promotes Lauren Kalfian Perez to General Manager

With more than 10 years of hospitality experience, Perez was hired by First Bristol in October 2008 as assistant general manager for Hampton Inn & Suites Providence. Over the course of a few months, she has reviewed hundreds of job applicants and trained dozens of new employees prior to the hotel opening in March. In her new role as general manager, Perez will oversee the daily hotel operations including the Front Office, Guest Services, Housekeeping, Laundry, Sales, Marketing and Engineering.

A native of West Warwick, Perez comes to Providence from The Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Crossings in Warwick, where she was front office manager handling budgets, payroll, guest satisfaction and associate training workshops. Her hospitality career began in 1996, at The Westin Hotel in Providence serving as Director of the Health Club and Spa, Human Resources Management Liaison, Director of Housekeeping and Front Office Director.

�The challenges of historic preservation were met by constructing the new addition in such a way so as not to diminish the character of the original Old Colony Bank building,� said J. Michael Abbott, AIA, Principal, Newport Collaborative Architects, Inc. �The addition is separated by a glass hyphen and the vehicular porte cochere is angled to follow on the bend of Weybosset Street with a large arch to heighten the sense of arrival,�

The notable former owners are honored on the mezzanine level (second floor) of the new Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown both in name and style. The 450-square-foot Old Colony Room boasts the original ornately-framed mirror above the decadent wood fireplace with traditional crown molding and wood paneling throughout. The 440-square-foot St. Francis Room entertains the antique chandeliers from the former church and has been upgraded with a wet bar area for intimate gatherings.

And while the hotel keeps much of the building�s traditions alive, it also meets the demands of an ever-changing economy. All rooms have been upgraded with wireless and wired high-speed internet access, and the meeting rooms offer audio/visual boards and technology. In addition, the building has undergone a series of green initiatives to significantly reduce the amount of energy used to provide heating, air conditioning and electricity throughout the hotel.

Located in the heart of the financial district, Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown sits adjacent to nearby corporate neighbors, including Bank of America, Textron, and Citizens Bank, and universities such as Brown University, Johnson & Wales, and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

Hampton Inn & Suites is part of the Hilton Hotels Corporation, recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The Hilton family of hotels includes many of the world�s best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including, Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Harrison Conference Centers, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations Company and Homewood Suites by Hilton. High-quality accommodations and services, combined with competitive rates have made Hampton Inn & Suites a leader in the mid-price segment, and one of the fastest growing hotel brands.

About Newport Collaborative Architects, Inc
Newport Collaborative Architects, Inc. was established in Newport, R.I. in 1981. With offices located at 38 Washington Square in Newport and 333 Westminster Street in Providence, R.I., the full-service firm is the largest in the state and specializes in architecture, historic preservation, planning and interior design. NCA�s residential, preservation, planning, education and hospitality projects have earned over 85 national and regional design awards. NCA�s principals John K. Grosvenor, AIA, J. Michael Abbott, AIA, Glenn R. Gardiner, AIA, Mohamad Farzan, AIA, RIBA, Jack Evans, James H. Libby, AIA, Arnold Robinson, AICP and Scott Winkler, AIA maintain professional registration in R.I., C.T., Mass., N.H., N.J., I.L. and S.C., as well as certification from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards which permits practice throughout the United States. For more information www.ncarchitects.com

About First Bristol Corporation
First Bristol Corporation is a thirty-year old real estate development firm that has developed over 3 million square feet of office, shopping centers, and hotels throughout Southern New England.

Contact:

First Bristol Corporation
10 North Main Street
Fall River, MA 02722
Phone: 508-679-1180

Saverio Mancini
401.351.8855

.
.

Also See:

First Bristol Corporation Sees "Green" Developing a Hampton Inn & Suites Within a Historic Providence Landmark / Elaine Murphy Overseeing Sales and Marketing / August 2008