Industry News

Gallery One Fort Lauderdale in Final Phase of

$20 Million Conversion to a Condo Hotel

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - June 1, 2006 -- Gallery One Fort Lauderdale - A Doubletree Guest Suites® Hotel, is entering the final phase of a two-year, multi-million-dollar renovation project, in anticipation of becoming one of Fort Lauderdale's premier, full-service hotels on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Renovations on the 231-room, all-suite hotel, which is part of 160 Doubletree Hotels (NYSE:HLT), are anticipated to be completed by late summer of 2006.

The landmark waterfront hotel's transformation has included an extensive re-design of each of the property's 231 one- and two-bedroom suites which now boast a new level of contemporary style and comfort with scenic views of the Intracoastal Waterway, Atlantic Ocean and Fort Lauderdale skyline.

Gallery One Fort Lauderdale - A Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel is owned by Florida-based DSI Sunrise LLC; and managed and operated under a franchise agreement with Doubletree Hotel Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation.

Each suite features a separate living room area complete with a marble entry foyer; fully equipped kitchens with maple cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances; and an entertaining area complete with a dining area for four, a stylish sleeper sofa and a wall-mounted 42-inch plasma television.

Bedrooms feature the Sweet Dreams® by Doubletree Sleep Experience, a luxurious package of high quality linens, down comforters, a specially designed mattress system and a plentiful amount of plush pillows for a great night's sleep.
Bathrooms are elegantly designed with framed mirrors, ample lighting, marble accents and walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads.

Bill Derbins, a 28-year Doubletree and Hilton veteran, was named general manager of Gallery One in May 2005 to oversee what is now being touted as one of the leading hotel re-designs in the half-billion-dollar product enhancement initiative currently happening across the Doubletree brand.

"Gallery One has not just been a typical hotel renovation but also a conversion to a condo/hotel business model which is much more extensive in all aspects," he explained.

"As a result, the right amount of planning and effort has been taken to ensure that residents and travelers to Broward County and South Florida are in for a welcome surprise when they discover the state-of-the-art, residential look and feel of our renewed Gallery One product, complemented by the professional, caring service that has been a long-standing tradition at this Doubletree hotel."

With more than 8,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 3,800-square-foot Gallery Ballroom, Gallery One can accommodate a variety of groups from 10 to 300. More than 3,000 square feet of outdoor event space presents the perfect setting for a variety of elegant, waterfront social events year-round.

Water taxis schedule regular stops at Gallery One that whisk guests away to several popular Fort Lauderdale stops along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Christopher Tompkins, hotel director of sales and marketing, shares Derbins' enthusiasm in anticipation of the grand re-opening of the hotel.

"We are proud that Gallery One will debut as one of the first upscale, full-service hotel development projects to lead the renaissance of Fort Lauderdale as an upscale leisure, business and incentive travel destination," said Tompkins.

"Along with being able to offer one of the most convenient and affordable international airports in the region just 15 minutes from our doorstep, we are excited to put both Gallery One and the greater Fort Lauderdale area on the map as a great place to meet for business or pleasure."

The final phases of the project call for a re-designed guest entrance to the hotel, including the driveway and lobby area. A new restaurant concept also is underway and will open late summer along with new indoor and outdoor cocktail lounges and a coffee/espresso bar and wine bar.

"From the incredible talents of our executive chef to the unsurpassed dedication of our sales, catering and event planning teams, we look forward to introducing a new benchmark in South Florida of providing outstanding accommodations, unparalleled style and personalized service all in a uniquely intimate, boutique-style setting in the coming weeks," said Tompkins.

For more information on the condo hotel units available at Gallery One, contact Joel Greene of Condo Hotel Center at Joel@CondoHotelCenter.com or call (954) 450-1929.