WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Sept. 16, 1998 - The historic
Hotel Kamp in Helsinki, Finland, which has served as a social and cultural
gathering place in the city for more than a century, will re-open after
an extensive renovation in Spring 1999 as part of The Luxury Collection
of Starwood Hotels
Resorts Worldwide, Inc. The company also today announced the appointment
of Leon Larkin as the hotel's new General Manager.
Since its opening in 1887, the Hotel Kamp in Helsinki has always been
a point of reference for the discerning travelers to this capital city
as well as for the local residents. Over the years, the building has been
the site of many cultural and social events, and was at one time used as
a theatre for artistic events. The Hotel Kamp soon became the meeting point
for many of Finland's politicians, artists and celebrities, including General
Mannerheim, Eino Leino, Juhani Aho, Robert Kajanas, Eliel Saarinen, and
the former Finnish President J.K.Paasikivi, who eventually became
one of the owners of the hotel. The hotel also proved to be an artistic
inspiration for the great composer Jean Sibelius, who visited the Hotel
Kamp many times and dedicated a song to the hotel.
"The Hotel Kamp, which has long played a major role in Finnish history
and cultural life, is an outstanding addition to The Luxury Collection,"
said Juergen Bartels, Chief Executive Officer of the Hotel Group of Starwood
Hotels Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "The flagging of this hotel marks
a number of milestones for the company -- including the establishment of
our presence in Finland for the first time and the introduction of The
Luxury Collection to Scandanavia. This historic property is also a perfect
complement to our other historic Luxury Collection hotels, including the
Danieli and the Gritti Palace in Venice, The St. Regis in New York, The
Carlton in Washington, D.C. and the Hotel Imperial in Vienna," Mr. Bartels
added.
The Hotel Kamp is currently undergoing an extensive restoration scheduled
to be completed by May 1999. The restored building will have a ground floor
layout consistent with the original hotel. The Carl Kamp Restaurant and
Bar will retain the original historic architectural features. The entrance
from the Esplanade will serve the restaurant and bar as well as the grand
ballroom, historically known as the Mirror Room, which is accessed via
the magnificent sweeping staircase to the first floor. This part of the
building will also house the main suites of the hotel, including the General
Mannerhiem Presidential Suite with its balcony onto the Esplanade. The
majority of the hotel's 189 bedrooms will be located in the newer part
of the building, offering guests rooms of 40 sq. meters, and affording
guests access to the latest in-room technology together with bathrooms
of the highest international standards.
"The famous Hall of Mirrors, one of the outstanding examples from the
original hotel's architecture, will soon return as a great attraction for
both the international and the local clientele of the Hotel Kamp," said
General Manager Leon Larkin in commenting on the forthcoming hotel re-opening.
"I am delighted to be leading and developing the management team of the
'New Hotel Kamp' at such an exciting time for Helsinki as Finland assumes
the Presidency of the European Union in June of 1999. By that time, we
will have brought the Hotel Kamp back to its original splendor, allowing
Helsinki to count once again on the unsurpassed hospitality for which the
Hotel Kamp, has been, and will once again be famous."
Appointed the Hotel Kamp's new General Manager, Leon Larkin, an Australian
of Russian parentage who speaks English and Russian, has extensive international
experience in hotel operations, marketing and sales, including more than
12 years with Sheraton hotels. Most recently, Mr. Larkin served as General
Manager of the Sheraton Brisbane Hotel in Australia, and prior to that,
as General Manager of the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel in Beijing, China.
Michael Wale, Vice President of Starwood Hotels, and Area Director for
the U.K., Ireland, Turkey Scandinavia said, "In selecting a seasoned international
hotelier of Leon Larkin's profile for this challenging and important role,
we are recognizing the need for the strong marketing capability together
with Leon's previous proven success in operating in new environments for
our company."
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Merita to Restore Historical Hotel Building
in Helsinki
The Merita Group is planning to embark on a major hotel
development project involving the restoration of the historical Kämp
building in Helsinki. This project is part of an overall development plan
for a block of six houses located between four busy business streets of
downtown Helsinki.
The Kämp building, designed by the architect Theodor
Höijer, opened for the public in 1887. Up until the 1960s, it served
as a hotel and a restaurant. In 1969 it was renovated to house the offices
of the Board of Management of the Kansallis Banking Group.
According to the plan, the new hotel will occupy the old
Kämp at Pohjoisesplanadi 29 and the adjoining premises, which will
be refurbished and supplemented by an extension to be built at the back
of the house. The estimated cost of the project at current prices is somewhat
over FIM 200 million. Its implementation is subject to the approval of
the regulatory authorities.
The intention is to reserve the vacant courtyard area
in the middle of the block for a shopping mall, thus providing a connecting
link between the different buildings and combining them into a functional
whole. The architectural planning of the project has been entrusted to
Petri Blomstedt, whose earlier works include the recently completed renovation
of the Pohjola building on the other side of the block.
The envisaged five-star hotel will comprise approximately
180 rooms, including a dozen luxury suites in the old part of the building.
A number of international hotel chains have already expressed interest
in operating the hotel.
The foundation work is scheduled to begin in the spring
of 1997 and actual construction in late 1997 or early 1998. The hotel is
scheduled to be ready by the summer of 1999, when Finland takes on the
presidency of the European
Union.
The legendary Kämp has played an important part in
Finnish history and cultural life. The restoration of this national heritage
building to its original use will provide a link with Helsinki's past while
representing an innovative step in cityscape development. The most important
project of its kind in the core centre of Helsinki, the Kämp is scheduled
to reach completion on the eve of the year 2000, just in time for the celebration
of Helsinki as one of the cultural capitals of Europe.
In addition to its historical and cultural value, the
project is designed to boost the Merita Group's earnings from the properties
in question.
Further information:
Merita Real Estate Ltd
Managing Director, Heikki Hyppönen Tel. (+358
9) 8285 7801
Director, Helsinki Metropolitan Area,
Risto Sirkkanen Tel.
(+358 9) 8285 7810
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Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide, Inc., through its Sheraton,
Westin, Luxury Collection, Four Points and Caesars subsidiaries, more than
650 hotels in 70 countries with 125,000 employees and is one of the leading
hotel and gaming operating companies in the world. Starwood Hotels Resorts
is the largest real estate investment trust in the United States. Shares
of Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide, Inc. are paired and trade together
with shares of Starwood Hotels Resorts (NYSE: HOT). |