ORLANDO A Hyatt hotel with about 1,500 rooms will be built near the expanding Orange County Convention Center, tourism and convetion officials said. The Hyatt is expected to open in 2004 and is the second major chain to acquire one of five hotel parcels owned by Universal Studios. The Hilton hotel chain earlier announced plans for a 1,400-room facility to open in 2005 adjacent to the expanded convention center.
The Hyatt project in Orlando is “designed with expansion in mind” and could one day be the largest in Chicago-based chain, company spokeswoman Angie Sikkema said. “Right now we have 2,000 rooms in Chicago and thats the largest,” Sikkema said. But the Orlando property is slated to get another 500 to 1,000 rooms in five to 10 years. It will connect to the expanded convention center via a dedicated skyway walkway.
The Hyatt will feature a 43,000 square-foot grand ballroom with 14,000 square feet of space for receptions outside the ballroom. Another 30,000 square-foot junior ballroom will be available. Other features include conference rooms, meeting rooms and boardrooms, as well as a 50,000 square-foot multipurpose exhibit hall. (1/19/01)
SOURCE:The Orlando Sentinel