The 31-story Hyatt Regency New Orleans received heavy damage during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Poydras Properties Hotel Holdings, a hospitality venture that includes AREA Property Partners, Poydras Hotel Members LLC, and a subsidiary of Hyatt, plans to reopen the Hyatt Regency New Orleans by late 2011, after completing an extensive renovation.
In addition to its contemporary guest rooms, the hotel will feature 53 suites. After the redesign, the hotel’s 200,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space will include two 25,000 square feet ballrooms, 80,000 square feet of exhibition space, 60 banquet and meeting rooms, and an executive meeting level. The expansive food and beverage offerings will include a 350-seat, full-service restaurant with private and semi-private dining rooms; a 210-seat media and action bar with private and semi-private lounges; a 70-seat atrium bar; a 2,000 square feet full service coffee bar; a 24-hour convenience store featuring fresh food items; and a 7,600 square-feet specialty restaurant.
First opened in 1976, the hotel became one of the most visual representations of Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath. The transformation and reopening of Hyatt Regency New Orleans are part of an economic development plan designed by the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission and New Orleans Downtown Development District to revitalize New Orleans’ Central Business area over the next several years.
Hyatt, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, owns and develops hotels and resorts under the brand names Grand Hyatt, Park Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Hyatt Resorts, Hyatt Regency and Andaz.
