NEW ORLEANS, LA—As hundreds of owners and managers of Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites properties crowded the registration desk at the Hilton Riverside here Jan. 21 prepping for their first combined focused service brands conference, scant blocks away the city’s first Homewood Suites was topping off at 901 Poydras St. Three dozen onlookers, including Tom Keltner, president of Hilton’s brand performance and franchise development group, and district councilman Oliver Thomas, stood outside the dust-covered construction site as an American flag and Homewood Suites flag attached to a concrete block were hoisted by crane atop the 12-story building frame. Owned by Louisiana-based Barrone Hotel Investors LLC, the 165-suite property sited on 14,000 square feet is only the second Homewood Suites in Louisiana. Slated for completion within third-quarter, it is the 11th Homewood Suites— its first in New Orleans— for management company Dimension Development Co., headed by president Sam Friedman, along with co-founder John Turner. “This hotel represents— at this stage— about two years’ of planning and work,” said Friedman. “It’s nice to have another Hilton here,” said Thomas. “Hilton has been a very good business partner in our community, very responsible and very involved. With the expansion of the [Ernest N. Morial] convention center and all the major events here, this is going to be a welcome addition to our community. It’s something that we need.” Dimension Development manages 30 properties nationwide, including three Hampton Inn products. Friedman was named Homewood’s developer of the year in 2000. “Sam was one of the first moving forces behind the Homewood brand,” said Keltner. “So it’s great to have him come full circle and develop this fantastic property, about 13 years after [he]did the first one.” The new property will offer one- and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, the extended-stay brand’s signature 24-hour “Suite Shop” convenience store, 24-hour executive business center, 6,000 square feet of meeting space, high-speed Internet access, and “The Lodge,” a dedicated relaxing area with fireplace. “This is a dream come true for us in seeing this project happen,” said Bill Duncan, vp/brand sales and hotel support services. “We’re really excited about the potential that this property has,” added Calvin Stovall, senior director/brand marketing for Homewood. “There’s the opportunity to gain higher levels of performance here. We also know with the Hilton name, Hilton HHonors, we’re just going to get increased consumer trial here.” Situated within blocks of the French Quarter, the Superdome, the convention center and Harrah’s Casino, the site’s location will be a key factor in its success, according to Ralph Thiergart, Dimension’s svp/marketing and sales. “We are so jazzed about this location and our ability to serve a variety of market segments for this hotel,” he said.
Hilton's Tom Keltner At The Topping Off Ceremony