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Historic Tutwiler Hotel Has New Owner
Released: 3/3/2006
By: Matt Markopoulos
BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Tutwiler Hotel, one of America’s historic hotels and a community landmark in Birmingham, Ala. , has changed hands and will undergo total renovation in 2006. Investor Harold Rosbottom and Birmingham-based hotel management company Integral Hospitality are set to close on the property March 2 and renovations will begin in May.
Integral will invest $6.2 million to enhance the hotel’s historic charm and upgrade the rooms and services to be commensurate with the hotel’s location and stature. Integral plans to break ground on the project in May and complete renovations in August. The hotel will remain open throughout the process. Room renovations will take place one floor at a time to limit any inconvenience to guests.
Every room will be stripped to its frame, and the wall treatments, furniture and bathroom fixtures will all be replaced. Additional suites will be added for a total of 67 suites in the 166-room hotel. In addition, several amenities will be added including a business center, an eighth floor fitness center, a breakfast area for daily hot Continental breakfast and a small suite shop that will offer snacks, beverages and convenience items on site. Wireless high-speed internet access will be made complimentary in all guest rooms and public areas. Integral is also looking into a long term relationship with a retail establishment in the ground level space at the busy corner of Sixth Avenue and Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard N. Management envisions this space as a book store, coffee shop or business services store.
The eighth floor attic area of The Tutwiler will be built out, anchored by the beautiful new breakfast room with its view of the Birmingham city skyline.
Many of these new amenities are a reflection of the hotel’s planned brand change. Once renovations are complete, The Tutwiler will join the Hilton family of hotels by becoming a Hampton Inn and Suites hotel. The Tutwiler will join a prestigious list of upscale Hampton Inn and Suites hotels in prime locations such as Charleston, Washington, D. C. , Manhattan, Chicago, Memphis, Austin, Savannah and New Orleans.
The Tutwiler will retain its historic name, charm and spirit. The renovations will help re-establish the hotel as the choice of out-of-towners, dignitaries, corporate executives, wedding groups and people interested in romantic getaways.
“Birmingham is my home, and I was really drawn to the idea of being a part of something that celebrates Birmingham’s history and draws visitors into our city center,” said Integral Hospitality President William Murray. “We believe upgrading this important piece of Birmingham history is worth a little patience and investment. It promises to be an exciting time for the City, its residents and visitors.”
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