The project has been designed by Chicago-based design firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz. The building exterior will sport a collegiate Gothic style following the makeover. Work will involve demolition and replacement of the existing southern unit of the facility with new rooms. The number of guest rooms in the building will also be raised from 92 to about 138 post upgrades whereas the size of the rooms will undergo an expansion from 240 to 360 square feet. The rooms of the remodelled hotel will include suites featuring parlours.
The facility will incorporate a ballroom on its north segment after the revamp work. The ballroom will possess a seat capacity of 300. The redesigned structure will further comprise three private dining rooms along an expanded part of the building in its eastern front. Other renovation features include creation of a covered driveway at the lobby entry, overhaul of the back portion of the courtyard, and shifting of the Leahy’s Pub to a more spacious building.
The project has received a contribution of $15 million from Ernestine Raclin, her family as well as the Carmichael Foundation. Work is scheduled to commence by mid-2012 and slated for completion by the end of 2013.
