The Kessler Enterprise Inc., Orlando, is scheduled to break ground in late August on the 14-story hotel, diagonal to City Hall and across the street from the proposed Orlando Performing Arts Center. The $30-million-plus hotel is scheduled to open in November 1999.

"We think downtown Orlando is a good place to invest for the 21st Century," said Kessler. "Orlando is the model city of tomorrow, and we want to be a part of that."

Mayor Hood added: "We're very excited about The Grand Bohemian. The hotel will add to the fabric of downtown Orlando, the fabric of our community."

The all-suite hotel will feature an early 20th century Austrian theme, a 14th-floor concierge suite, 11,000 square feet of meeting and pre-function space, a 150-seat restaurant, piano lounge, 1,650 square feet of retail space and a three-floor, 185-space parking garage. The fifth floor will be dedicated solely to meeting space and will feature two expansive hospitality suites.

Of the 250 suites at the Grand Bohemian, 106 will be king suites, 108 will be double-queen suites and 36 will be two-room king or double-queen suites. Estimated room rates will range from $139 to more than $300 per night.

Designed by Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart  Associates of Atlanta, the property will "be a piece of art in itself with paintings, antiques, sculptures, 19th century baroque marble columns, high ceilings and lots of molding," said Kessler. "The Grand Bohemian has been designed to make you feel better." An expansive wall in the lobby area will accommodate selected pieces of Kessler's extensive art collection.

"The Bohemian area of Europe, which encompasses Prague in the Czech Republic, has wonderful examples of art, architecture, music and sculpture," said Kessler. "We want this hotel to capture that spirit here in Orlando."

The Grand Bohemian will operate as a Grand Theme Hotel, part of a portfolio of unique hotels by The Kessler Enterprise Inc., each boasting individual architectural elements and interior design, but with a shared commitment to service and value.

Founded in 1995 upon the opening of its first hotel, The Castle Hotel in Orlando, Grand Theme Hotels has expanded its portfolio to include The Universal Tower and The Universal Inn, presently under renovation in Orlando; The Casa Monica Hotel, currently being restored in St. Augustine, Fla.; The Inn at Celebration, to break ground this spring at the Town of Celebration being developed by the Walt Disney Co. south of Orlando; and its first franchise hotel, The Wyndam Safari Resort in Orlando.