233-room combined Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels strengthen urban renewal with regionally-inspired design and spectacular views
The Quad Cities region in northwest Illinois and southeastern Iowa is in the midst of a shift from manufacturing community to tourist destination. The latest sign of that is The Bend on the Mighty Mississippi, a premier mixed-use development that will rise on an old industrial site in East Moline, Ill. The Bend brings retail, lodging, restaurants, apartments, offices, and other amenities to a 132-acre site with a mile of unobstructed riverfront.
When construction finishes in 2018, the 150,000-square-foot Hyatt House and Hyatt Place hotels, designed by Legat Architects and operated by The Olympia Companies, will bring the Quad Cities an upscale lodging option that will offer guests spectacular views of the Mississippi. The nine-story hotel facility stand among the Quad Cities’ tallest structures and mark the first Hyatt dualbranded hotels in the Quad Cities region.
“The design for both hotels brings a stunning visual component to The Bend,” said Joe Collins of Great River Property LLC. “It’s also respectful of the budget, the overall development, and the regional expectations.”
Together, the hotels will offer guests two different hotel experiences under one roof in one great location.
“We continue to see a growing trend with dualbranded hotels, which let guests choose the right setting for their needs,” said Mark Younadam, director of real estate and development for Hyatt. “Whether our guests are in town for vacation, work relocation or a long-term corporate project, Hyatt Place East Moline and Hyatt House East Moline will be the perfect fit for the vibrant setting of highly-anticipated development.”
The hotels, and the overall development, are being developed in response to anticipated demographic changes and the I-74 bridge construction on the Iowa side of the Quad Cities. The hotels will be close to local industries, including John Deere World Headquarters and KONE Corporation, as well as higher education providers Augustana College and Western Illinois University’s Quad Cities campus.
Design-Forward Hotels
Great River Property LLC commissioned a who’s who of Chicago-based designers to lead different parts of the development. When the initial hotel designer’s concept proved too costly, the developer turned to Legat Architects, which operates both a Chicago and a Quad Cities studio. Great River Property LCC challenged Legat’s hospitality designers to quickly create a striking solution while controlling costs.
As visitors approach the Quad Cities in 2018, they will likely see the hotels’ illuminated blade element and ninth floor lounge. Legat’s April Maifield conceived this plan, which initially called for a five-story structure, saying, “The taller concept gives the building a tighter footprint on the site so it takes up less space. The added height also commands a greater visual impact from the river and the bridge, while offering better views.”
Additionally, the hotels will boast a highly anticipated component – a glass-enclosed lounge that will cap the west side of the Hyatt House hotel like an observation deck.
John Schultzel, Vice President of Hotel Management at The Olympia Companies, said, “The lounge will not only appeal to guests, but also welcome community members as a nightlife destination, as well as venue for receptions and galas. With an outdoor terrace and large glass walls, the lounge will offer one of the best views in the region year round.”
Legat Architects and The Olympia Companies, which recently received Hyatt’s annual award for Operating Excellence, have collaborated on two Hyatt Place hotels, including Hyatt Place Chicago-South/University Medical Center and Hyatt Place Cleveland/Westlake/Crocker Park.
Contact us to learn more about hotel design or comment below to share your thoughts on this post.
