MIAMI? The Dupont Plaza Hotel, under the management of Tecton Hospitality, underwent a much needed $1 million renovation that rejuvenated the hotel just before its peak season. Chicago-based Benjamin Brothers, a division of American Hotel Register, completed the project in just 60 days, beginning Dec. 1, 1998 and ending Jan. 31, 1999. A soft-goods renovation such as this involving new carpeting, wall coverings, drapes and beds would usually take 90 to 120 days to complete. Tecton President Richard Millard credited the fast work to the established professional relationship between his firm and Benjamin Brothers. The planning and execution of the renovations flowed with more ease because of this, he indicated. Noting that he has personally done business with Benjamin Brothers for 25 years, Millard said there was ?no getting-to-know-you process? that is often necessary. ?Benjamin Brothers has been in business approximately 60 years so they know what they?re doing and they are as good as their word,? he added. The 297-room hotel was able to maintain a 70% occupancy rate during the work which was done by sectioning. Rooms were taken apart individually by day and put back together each night. As expected after a renovation, room rates have gone up between 5 and 10% because there is a better product being sold. Following the renovation new customers are coming to the Dupont Plaza Hotel and one-time customers are being drawn back, according to Millard. The renovation has also made the hotel more competitive and improved employee morale, he added. In addition to the renovation, Tecton implemented a total quality management program. A new cafeteria was built, a human resources department was started, and a training program was put into effect for management and other employees. Benefit packages have also been expanded and monthly employee recognition luncheons have begun. There were also promotions for employees, some of whom have been with the hotel for 10 years or more. ?The promotions improve morale and give the employees something to work for because they realize that being promoted from within is possible,? said Millard. ?The employees see the changes and are proud to work here so they want to provide the best services possible, which helps in the competitive ?market,? Millard added. There has been a decrease in the turnover rate. The renovation has had a positive financial impact on the hotel, with maintenance expenses down while average occupancy has increased to the mid 70s. Millard said that special efforts were made by several people. ?The engineering department, headed by J.C. Ortega, did a great job in getting things done. The expediters with Benjamin Brothers and the hotel managment also went out of their way to help things move along,? he added. Tecton Hospitality is a hotel management and consulting firm that provides operations management, marketing strategy and accounting services to hotel properties nationwide. Tecton manages 20 hotels within the United States, including Clarion, Comfort Inn, Days Inn, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Howard Johnson Inn, Marriott Courtyard, Residence Inn, Sheraton and Quality Inn properties.
