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PHILADELPHIA'S FIRST KIMPTON HOTEL NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS
Hotel Palomar Philadelphia Opens October 15, 2009 in Historic Architects Building
PHILADELPHIA, September 1, 2009 — Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is pleased to announce reservations are now being accepted for the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, opening October 15, 2009. Located at 17th and Sansom Streets in the heart of the city's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is Kimpton's first hotel in Philadelphia and the city's first highly stylized, upscale boutique hotel. An adaptive reuse of an architecturally significant building, Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is also Kimpton's first hotel designed to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Guests can now make room reservations for arrivals starting on or after November 10, 2009.
Work began in February 2008 to transform the 1929 landmark building, the Architects Building, into the 230-room Hotel Palomar. The 24-story structure, one of the city's most striking examples of Art Deco architecture, is the former headquarters for the Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The 20-month, $92.5 million renovation is Kimpton's 11th adaptive reuse development. Kimpton worked with the Morristown, N.J. office of Gensler architects, and hotel designer Dayna Lee of Powerstrip Studio in Hollywood, Calif., to refurbish the 80-year-old landmark structure.
Every Kimpton hotel tells a distinct story, and the story of the Hotel Palomar is "Art in Motion," embracing art in all of its many expressions, including visual, film, fashion, dance and architecture. Specifically, at the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, the story told is one of architecture as an example of art in motion. In addition to highlighting the building's Art Deco detailing, which is prominent both inside and out, the design is respectful of the discipline of architecture by recognizing and emphasizing the lines, weight and era of the building.
As another example of Art in Motion, the original work of local artists is featured in the hotel's ground-floor, living room-style lobby. The hotel's art collection also includes sculpture, multimedia, and an abstract portrait of Benjamin Franklin that greets guests under the entrance awning.
"In a city known for its firsts, Kimpton is pleased to be adding a first of our own," said Peggy Trott, general manager of the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia. "With its thoughtful, LEED-registered renovation of one of Philadelphia's most significant Art Deco buildings, its original artwork from Philadelphia artists, and its custom furnishings, Hotel Palomar Philadelphia exemplifies artful design."
A soothing palette of soft, neutral earth tones energized with bright pops of green and purple, plus artful touches, greet guests throughout the hotel. The centerpiece of the living room is a sculpted modern deco white glass fireplace of recycled composite glass. A beautiful reflective glass folding screen is scribbled with a theoretical argument presented by two architects. Guests walk through installations of two-dimensional brass sculpture inlaid in the wood floors.
Plush and luxurious, stylish and modern, the 184 guestrooms, 19 Spa Rooms and 17 suites with Fuji spa tubs, are all about comfort and service, with custom furnishings, bedding by Frette, spa-inspired L'Occitane bath amenities, 37" LCD flat-screen HDTVs, complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel and 24-hour room service. Guests can enjoy the state-of-the-art fitness facility, complimentary newspapers, morning coffee and tea service, as well as a hosted evening wine hour.
In addition to the guestrooms, the hotel also features 6,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 2,750 square-foot penthouse ballroom on the 25th floor, with its sweeping views of the city skyline, abundant natural light by day and glittering city lights by night. Three adaptable meeting rooms and pre-function space are located on the 24th floor; a 12-person high-tech board room is available on the second floor.
"We have named the meeting rooms in honor of the many skilled architects who have contributed to the outstanding architecture of this city," Trott said. Rooms are named for architects Julian Abele, Daniel Burnham, Paul Philippe Cret, I.M. Pei and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Another inviting gathering space, Square 1682, Kimpton's chef-driven restaurant and bar, located adjacent to the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, also honors Philadelphia's history. William Penn founded Philadelphia in 1682, envisioning a "greene countrie towne" with five city squares, including what is now Rittenhouse Square.
Based in San Francisco, Kimpton is the leading boutique hotel company in the United States, famous for its reputation for consistently delivering highly personalized attention, care and comfort of its guests. The Hotel Palomar Philadelphia will be Kimpton's 48th boutique hotel.
Among the first guests to arrive at the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia upon its opening will be a group meeting in Philadelphia for a healthcare convention.
For more information or reservations, please visit hotelpalomar-philadelphia.com, or call 215.563.5006 or 1.800.KIMPTON.
ABOUT HOTEL PALOMAR PHILADELPHIA
Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, one of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants' nearly 50 boutique hotels in the United States, is a highly stylized, eco-friendly, upscale boutique hotel located in the heart of Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. It is the first Kimpton hotel to open in Philadelphia and Kimpton's first LEED-registered hotel. With its thoughtful adaptive reuse renovation of one of Philadelphia's architectural landmarks, the Architects Building, and its 230 stylish and sustainable guestrooms, 6,000 square feet of meeting space and living room-style lobby, Hotel Palomar Philadelphia exemplifies artful and eco-conscious design. Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is located at 117 South 17th Street, one block from picturesque Rittenhouse Square, and within walking distance of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. For more information, please visit hotelpalomar-philadelphia.com or call 877.725.1778.
ABOUT KIMPTON
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the US, is an acknowledged industry pioneer and was the first to bring the boutique hotel concept to America. Founded in 1981 by Bill Kimpton, the company is well-known for making travelers feel welcomed and comfortable while away from home through intuitive and unscripted customer care, stylish ambience and having a certain playfulness in its approach to programs and amenities. Each hotel provides a range of exciting culinary experiences through locally-loved, top-rated, destination, chef-driven restaurants. Kimpton leads the hospitality industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare program that spans all hotels and restaurants. Privately held Kimpton has consistently earned high customer satisfaction scores by the Market Metrix Hospitality Index, exceeding other hotel companies including those in luxury and upscale segments. Among the company's newest properties are the Hotel Monaco Baltimore and restaurant B&O American Brasserie by Chef E. Michael Reidt in Baltimore, MD, which opened in July 2009. Currently, projects are underway in New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago. For more information, please visit www.kimptonhotels.com or call 1.800.KIMPTON.
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