PHILADELPHIA—Home2 Suites by Hilton, the mid-tier, all-suite hotel brand designed for modern business travelers and extended-stay guests, announced the opening of its 20th U.S. hotel in Philadelphia. Co-developed by Philadelphia-based Wurzak Hotel Group and Parkway Corp., and owned by a joint venture that includes DoveHill Partners, Parkway Corp. and New York-based investment fund Glenmont Capital Management, LLC, the property represents the largest Home2 Suites to open since the inception of the brand in 2011.
The nine-story, 248-suite hotel, located across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 1200 Arch Street in Center City, will be operated by Wurzak Hotel Group and is among one of the first new-build hotels to open in Philadelphia in more than a decade.
Energy efficiency was also an important ingredient in the property’s design. The hotel features a green roof, chairs made from recycled Coke bottles and tables made from recycled bowling alley lanes. In addition, the rooms have motion-sensing lights and television sets to turn them off when not in use.
“As both the co-developer and hotel operator, we are proud to be a part of such an important new hotel in the City of Philadelphia,” said Jake Wurzak, principal, Wurzak Hotel Group. “We expect the hotel to be a flagship not only in our portfolio, but also for Philadelphia and the Home2 Suites brand.”
Result of Public-Private Effort
“The project was the culmination of a public-private effort to add hotel rooms in the city and hundreds of new jobs for residents,” said Robert Zuritsky, president, Parkway Corp. “We were gratified to have the generous support from the state and city for what was our first mixed-use hotel and retail development.”
“The development represents Glenmont’s first investment in the Center City area and we could not be more pleased with the finished product,” added Lawrence A. Kestin, managing principal, Glenmont Capital Management, LLC. “The truly in-fill nature of the property’s location, the strength of our development and operating partners and their deep ties within the Philadelphia market, and the global reach of Hilton Worldwide combined with the continued growth of the Home2Suites by Hilton brand made this a highly attractive opportunity for Glenmont.”
The hotel is part of a $60 million mixed-used project featuring more than 9,750 square feet of retail and restaurant space including the fall 2013 Philadelphia debut of BurgerFi and Center City’s first Panera Bread. It is located within walking distance of key attractions including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The hotel will have a distinctive Philadelphia and urban flair with high ceilings and natural woodwork, and quarried wall stone. In the lobby is an oversized display of a Philadelphia historical map.
Wide Variety of Room Options
The property features the largest variety of room types for any Home2 Suites, including a mix of studio, one-bedroom and connecting suites, as well as several accessible suites designed to fit the needs of guests with disabilities.
“Urban centers are quickly becoming a hot spot for extended stay hotels, which fulfill the needs of not only business travelers, but leisure guests as well,” said Bill Duncan, global head of Home2 Suites. “The new Home2 Suites in Center City is a milestone for our brand due to its size and location, and we welcome those visiting Philadelphia to experience our hip and humble approach to a hotel stay.”
The Home2 Suites Philadelphia hotel also features an indoor saline pool, a multimedia game room with Wii consoles and flat-screen televisions, and more than 500 square feet of meeting space. The hotel also offers easy access to technology and inviting community spaces, as well as the trademark Home2 Suites amenities standard in all properties, such as the Oasis lobby area, the Home2 MKT for grab-and-go items, the Spin2 Cycle, a combined laundry and fitness area, and the free continental breakfast at the Inspired Table that includes a variety of morning favorites like a hot breakfast sandwich.
Home2 Suites by Hilton currently operates 20 hotels in 10 states, with more than 70 properties in its development pipeline. Future properties are slated for many of the nation’s major markets, including Houston, Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
Go to Home2 Suites Philadelphia.
