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MANDARIN ORIENTAL ANNOUNCES NEW LUXURY
HOTEL
AND RESIDENCES IN CHICAGO
HONG KONG, June 7, 2005 - Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has
announced that it will manage a new 250-room luxury hotel and
50 branded residences which are planned to open in Chicago in
early 2008. The project provides the Group with a unique
opportunity to establish its luxury brand in another important
American city.
Mandarin Oriental, Chicago will occupy 15 floors of a new
90-storey tower which will be an exclusive mixed-use
development in Chicago's growing Millennium Park neighborhood.
In addition to the hotel and its luxury residences, the new
1.2 million-square-foot development will feature a further 300
deluxe condominiums as well as upscale retail shops.
The project is ideally located for Chicago's world-class
cultural attractions, shopping, dining and entertainment
facilities. It is adjacent to Millennium Park, the city's
renowned centre for art, music, architecture and landscape
design, featuring the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue
of its kind in the United States, designed by Frank Gehry.
Located at 215 North Michigan Avenue, the hotel is also a
short walk from the Magnificent Mile Shopping District and is
exceptionally placed for easy access to McCormick Place, the
largest convention facility in America. Chicago's vast Pedway
system is accessible directly from the development, which
allows convenient covered walkways to the city's financial
district.
Mandarin Oriental, Chicago will be a showcase of innovative,
contemporary design, combining a reflection of the Group's
oriental heritage with a strong sense of place. The 200
oversized guestrooms and 50 suites will be among the most
spacious accommodations in the city, with views of Lake
Michigan to the north and east, Millennium Park to the south,
and Chicago's celebrated cityscape to the west. The finest
entertainment and technology systems will also be a prominent
in-room feature.
An array of dining choices will be offered at the hotel's
80-seat signature restaurant, an all-day dining venue, spa
caf? stylish bar, lobby lounge and Cake Shop - Chicago's
version of the legendary "Mandarin Cake Shop" at the flagship
Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Chicago will create an
unprecedented relaxation experience within a vibrant urban
setting. The 20,000-square-foot facility will feature 14
treatment rooms, with two VIP couples suites, state-of-the-art
heat and water treatments, including a Hamam for men and Rasul
for women, as well as a spa caf?offering tailor-made, healthy
cuisine. A dedicated pilates and yoga studio will complement
the fully-equipped fitness facility. Reflecting the Group's
Asian spa expertise in design and service, this facility will
offer among the most comprehensive range of wellness, beauty
and massage treatments in the Chicago area, with holistic
signature treatments created exclusively by Mandarin Oriental.
The hotel will also offer exceptional amenities to business
travelers, including the latest in-room technology as well as
a full-service business centre. Ample meeting and function
space, with a 10,000-square-foot ballroom, and four additional
private meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art
technology will also be featured.
The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Chicago will be located
above the hotel with units ranging from 1,000 to 3,000
square-feet. As with all Residences at Mandarin Oriental,
owners will be treated as permanent guests of the hotel and
will enjoy exclusive access to the exceptional services and
amenities provided on property.
"We are delighted to be opening a new hotel in the celebrated
city of Chicago. This project represents a wonderful
opportunity for Mandarin Oriental to further strengthen our
brand in significant business and leisure destinations
worldwide," said Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive of
Mandarin Oriental. "We look forward to bringing Mandarin
Oriental's renowned levels of hospitality to this vibrant new
development and its remarkable location. We certainly support
Mayor Daley's mission for the area's success."
"We are excited about the addition of Mandarin Oriental to the
city of Chicago. The development only serves to further
enhance the amenities and visitor attractions in and around
Millennium Park," said Mayor Richard M. Daley.
The project is being developed by Illinois Center Development,
LLC (ICDG), a private investment partnership formed by the
development team of Frank Leo and Gerard Kenny of Chicago,
Illinois. Mr. Kenny's firm, Kenny Construction Company, will
be leading construction of the overall project. The
award-winning firm of Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) will be
lead architect coordinating with Patrick Danan of ICDG.
"Our project will play an important role in the continuing
renaissance of the area surrounding Millennium Park. The
development promises to be a new city icon and we are very
pleased to be working with Mandarin Oriental to create a
unique luxury experience in Chicago," said Frank Leo, a
principal of Illinois Center Development, LLC.
Chicago boasts many tourist attractions, including the finest
shopping along Michigan Avenue, fine dining and myriad
cultural venues, all within walking distance of the new
project. Transportation to and from this important Midwestern
U.S. city is among the most accessible in the world; Chicago's
O'Hare Airport handles more than 55,000 domestic flights and
7,000 international flights a month - with more passengers
than any other international airport.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and
operator of some of the world's most prestigious hotels and
resorts, currently operating 21 luxury hotels with a further
six under development in Hong Kong and Tokyo (opening 2005),
Prague and Riviera Maya, Mexico (2006), Boston (2007) and
Chicago (2008). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or
has under development, approximately 8,000 rooms in 14
countries with 12 hotels in Asia, ten in The Americas and five
in Europe.
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