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Parkway Corporation, the Wurzak Hotel Group and Home2 Suites By Hilton®
Break Ground On Largest Hotel For The Brand To Date

New Property will be Adjacent to the Newly Expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center

MCLEAN, Va. - April 18, 2012 - Home2 Suites by Hilton, the award-winning, mid-tier extended stay brand, today joined Parkway Corporation and Wurzak Hotel Group in hosting the groundbreaking ceremony for its largest property to date.  The 246-suite hotel will sit adjacent to the recently expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center at 12th and Arch Streets, and is one of the first new-build hotels in Philadelphia in over a decade.  The property, owned by 1200 Arch Hotel Partners LP, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2013.
 
"Growing demand for hotel development in urban markets is translating into demand for extended stay properties," said Bill Duncan, Global Head of Home2 Suites by Hilton. "The flexibility of the Home2 Suites model combined with its many added value benefits will make it a go-to option for business travelers and tourists visiting Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Convention Center."
 
Leaders from Parkway Corporation, Wurzak Hotel Group, Hilton Worldwide and Capital One Bank joined Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, State Senator Larry Farnese, State Representative Dwight Evans and other elected state and local officials at the event. The eight-story hotel complex is part of the second phase of construction of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and will create 123 new construction jobs and 146 permanent hotel jobs.
 
"This project is the result of a public-private effort to add hotel rooms and many new jobs to the city and the Convention Center," said Robert Zuritsky, president, Parkway Corporation. "We never would have accomplished this undertaking without a series of incentives from the state and the city, and we are thankful for their support."
 
"I am delighted to attend today's groundbreaking for the Hilton Home2 Suites, the first newly developed hotel in Philadelphia since the expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center," said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. "Philadelphia's hospitality sector creates jobs, increases tourism, and has a perfect synergy with all of those other sectors which have meetings, conferences and conventions in our city. As we continue to expand our museums, attractions and restaurants that serve both residents and visitors, we will need hotels to meet this increasing need."
 
Located at 1200 - 1212 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, the hotel will feature over 2,000 square feet of meeting space and 9,750 square feet for ground floor retail and restaurants. The total project cost is $60 million and will be partially funded with $2.75 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funding and an Infrastructure and Facilities Improvement Program (IFIP) grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) will provide $5 million in HUD 108 loans and the building will receive $3 million in EnergyWorks funding from PIDC and The Reinvestment Fund. The energy conservation measures for the hotel will include a partial green roof, high efficiency HVAC system and significant energy performance upgrades, all in line with the Home2 Suites brand sustainability practices.  L.F. Driscoll will oversee construction of the development.
 
The property is being jointly developed by Parkway Corporation and the Wurzak Hotel Group.  This is the first mixed-use hotel and retail facility for the Parkway Corporation, and the second venture between the Wurzak Hotel Group and Hilton Worldwide.     
 
"Wurzak Hotel Group and its investment partner DoveHill Partners are proud to have partnered with Parkway Corporation on the development of our newest project. We expect the hotel to be a flagship not only in our portfolio but also for the City of Philadelphia and the Home2 brand because of its size and prominent location across from the Convention Center and just blocks from Philadelphia's central business district. This is an exciting time to own and operate hotels in Philadelphia because the city's lodging fundamentals are among the highest in the country," said Jake Wurzak, principal, Wurzak Hotel Group.
 
"Capital One Bank is excited to support the development of the Home2Suites Hotel, which presents great economic opportunity for Philadelphia through the collaboration of local leaders and government agencies, including the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corps and 1200 Arch Street Associates," said Rick Lyon, Executive Vice President of Commercial Real Estate for Capital One Bank. "Capital One Bank is committed to investing in the communities we serve, and in this case, we are proud to expand our initial $25 million commercial real estate loan by securing an additional $10 million in New Market Tax Credits though our Public Finance team."
 
The Home2 Suites Philadelphia Center City joins nine properties presently under construction. The brand currently operates seven hotels throughout the U.S. and has 70 planned properties in the development pipeline.
 
For more information on Home2 Suites by Hilton, visit www.home2suites.com, like Home2 Suites on Facebook and follow @Home2Suites on Twitter.

About Parkway Corporation
Parkway Corporation is a Philadelphia-based family-owned parking and real estate development company that has acquired, developed and managed seven million square feet of parking facilities and mixed-use properties.  Through the use of new technology, an effective management team, and by operating with absolute integrity, Parkway has been able to add value to its holdings and those of its clients in the U.S. and Canada. Our unique in-house ability to design, develop and manage properties is what sets us apart from most real estate development and parking companies. Parkway has recently successfully completed two projects: 1706 Rittenhouse Square, a super-luxury condominium building, and a 100-unit condominium at 9th & Arch Streets.  Our current construction projects are a 153,242 square foot medical office building for Pennsylvania Hospital at 8th & Walnut Streets, and a 246 room Home2 Suites by Hilton Hotel at 12th and Arch Streets.
 
About Wurzak Hotel Group
Wurzak Hotel Group was founded and is managed by Howard J. Wurzak, whose properties include the HiltonPhiladelphia, Homewood Suites Philadelphia, The Westin Mount Laurel, and other properties that are currently under construction including the Sheraton Valley Forge, and the Home2 Suites at the Philadelphia Convention Center.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,800 hotels and timeshare properties, with 630,000 rooms in 88 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

About Home2 Suites by Hilton

Home2 Suites by Hilton, the newest addition to the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands, is a mid-tier, extended-stay hotel concept designed to offer stylish accommodations, flexible guest room configurations and inspired amenities for the cost-conscious guest.  As the fastest growing brand in the history of Hilton Worldwide, Memphis, Tenn.-based Home2 Suites offers a complimentary breakfast selection; innovative and customizable guest room design; combination laundry and fitness area; complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access; multiple outdoor spaces; 24-hour business center; expansive community spaces; and a commitment to environmentally friendly products and hotel operations. For more information about Home2 Suites by Hilton visit www.home2mediacenter.com. For information on franchising opportunities, visit http://www.home2franchise.com/
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Contact:

Jennifer Hughes
Manager, Brand Public Relations
Home2 Suites by Hilton
+1 901 374 6053
 
Julie Jimenez
rbb Public Relations
+1 305 967 6678
 
Jeff Jubelirer
Jubelirer Strategies
For Parkway Corporation
+ 1 215 525 0466


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Also See: Home2 Suites by Hilton Breaks Ground for the 78-suite Home2 Suites in Huntsville, Alabama; The Brand’s First Dual Build Property will Share the Site with the 97-room Hampton Inn & Suites / February 2012

New Vision Ventures Breaks Ground on Home2 Suites by Hilton in Jackson, Mississippi to be Owned by New Vision Ridgeland Hotel, LCC and Managed by New Vision Hotel Management, LCC / August 2011

Thomas Properties Mississippi LLC and Thomas Builders Inc. Break Ground on 100-suite Home2 Suites by Hilton D'Iberville in Mississippi / July 2011

Magnolia Lodging Development and Shinn Stonebriar Hospitality Break Ground on 122-suite Home2 Suites by Hilton in Frisco, Texas / July 2011

Baywood Hotels and Park Hospitality Opens 95-suite Home2 Suites by Hilton® in Baltimore, Maryland / June 2011

Home2 Suites By Hilton® Celebrates Second Property Grand Opening in Layton, Utah; Brand Commemorates Event with Local Business Community and Honors Partner Charity / May 2011

Home2 Suites By Hilton® and The Generation Companies to Build 122-room North Charleston Home2 Suites in North Charleston, South Carolina / April 2011

Hilton Worldwide Celebrates Grand Opening of its First Home2 Suites By Hilton® and Kicks off a Local Charitable Community Relations Program at the Fayetteville, North Carolina Property / March 2011

Western States Lodging and Management Opens 107-room Home2 Suites by Hilton® in Layton, Utah, owned by Summit Lodging, ESP / March 2011

Hilton Worldwide and HWV, LLC Break Ground on New Home2 Suites by Hilton in West Valley City, Utah / January 2011

Lexington Park Hotel Partners and Hilton Worlwide Break Ground on New LEED Certified Home2 Suites by Hilton® in Lexington Park, Maryland / November 2010

Baywood Hotels Combining History and Moderism in New Home2 Suites by Hilton® in Historic San Antonio Property Near River Walk / September 2010

Home2 Suites by Hilton Approves Six New Locations in First Quarter 2010 / April 2010

Home2 Suites by Hilton Identifies the Locations of the First 50 Signed Franchise Applications / July 2009
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