The automaker bought the building in 1996 for a new headquarters site. But in September 1999, GM and the hotel began a major renovation to re-establish the hotel as a convention destination.
Marriott signed on to take over the former Westin Hotel in the complex. Marriott also completed a $9.5-million renovation of its Embassy Suites 250-room hotel in the Millender Center across the street.
Bob Nee, marketing director for the Renaissance hotel, tells GlobeSt.com the 1,298 guest rooms, meeting rooms and ballrooms should be completely open to the public by March 2002. The Marriott's 27 meeting and convention space totals 100,000 sf and can host 2,200 guests for receptions and banquets.
The new RiverBar is open and the RiverCafé will open Jan. 2. Renovations have been completed in the 3,284-sf Mackinac Ballroom and in the 24,951-sf Ontario Exhibit Hall, where the ceiling grid has been removed to create the appearance of greaterheight.
Carpeting and airwalls have been replaced in the 25,801-sf Renaissance Ballroom. Additional improvements will be made to the Renaissance Ballroom meeting space through March 2002. A new, third-floor, 11,575-sf Ambassador Ballroom will debut early next month.
The three-story Summit Restaurant, the main restaurant for the hotel, will reopen in late 2002.
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