Hotels open, more news

JW Marriott Chicago opened Nov. 11 in Chicago’s Loop district. The first JW Marriott-branded hotel in the city occupies the first 12 floors of the historic Continental and Commercial National Bank Building, designed by famed Chicago architect Daniel Burnham and completed in 1914. A $396 million restoration led by architectural firm Lucien Lagrange and Associates brought the Neoclassical building up-to-date for current meeting planning needs and luxury hotel expectations. It has 610 guest rooms and more than 44,000 square feet of meeting space divided between 36 meeting rooms and two ballrooms — the 8,500-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom and the 6,000-sq.-ft. Burnham Ballroom, which features the building’s original domed ceiling.

Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport, Iowa, is set to reopen in mid-December after a $45 million renovation. Built in 1915, Hotel Blackhawk is currently on the National Register of Historic Places and was once known for its glamorous clientele including silver-screen movie stars and U.S. presidents. The 11-story hotel has 130 guest rooms and extended-stay suites with full kitchens, all with river or city views.

Hyatt Hotels plans to open a Park Hyatt, its new luxury brand, in 2012 in New York City. The hotel, which will be a flagship Hyatt property, will be located across the street from Carnegie Hall. Pritzker Prize-winning architect Christian de Portzamparc is designing the hotel.