Providence
Warwick
- The Rhode Island Convention Center (401.458.6000; www.riconvention.com) plans to convert some of its space into an additional 3,000-square-foot ballroom and open the new facility in October. The center currently houses 137,000 square feet of function space.
- Construction is under way on a $62 million renovation of the Dunkin’ Donuts Center (401.331.0700; www.dunkindonutscenter.com). The project includes the refurbishment of the facility’s 14,000-seat arena as well as the addition of 20 suites and a pedestrian bridge connecting the facility to the Rhode Island Convention Center. The project is slated for completion in December 2008.
- The Renaissance Providence Hotel (407.276.0010; www.renaissanceprovidencehotel.com) is scheduled to open in May. The hotel is housed in a circa-1928 building that went through a major renovation to transform it into the upscale Renaissance property. The 272-room hotel will house 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
- The Westin Providence (401.598.8000; www.westin.com/providence) is constructing a new 200-room hotel tower, which is scheduled to open in September. The property currently has 364 guest rooms and 21,000 square feet of meeting space.
- The Providence Biltmore (401.421.0700; www.providencebiltmore.com) completed a renovation in May 2006. The project included upgrades to guest rooms, meeting facilities and public areas, as well as the addition of a McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant and Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. The 289-room hotel features 19,000 square feet of meeting space.
- The Providence Plaza Hotel (formerly a Holiday Inn) completed a property-wide renovation in January and was reflagged the Hilton Providence (401.831.3900; www.providence.hilton.com). The property also added a three-level retail tower. The hotel features 274 guest rooms and 9,100 square feet of function space.
- The Providence Marriott Downtown (401.272.2400; www.marriott.com) renovated 100 of its 350 guest rooms in spring 2006 and plans to finish a renovation of the remaining units by early next year. The hotel contains 11,000 square feet of meeting space.
- The Courtyard Providence Downtown (401.272.1191; www.courtyard.com) plans to begin a facility-wide makeover later this year and finish the project early next year. The 216-room hotel contains 3,500 square feet of function space.
- Construction is under way on the renovation and expansion of the RISD Museum (401.454.6500; www.risd.edu/museum.cfm). The museum, encompassing a complex of four buildings, is currently renovating one of its buildings and plans to finish that project by 2010. In addition, construction is under way on a new building called the Happy and Malcolm Chace Center, a 43,000-square-foot facility that will be connected to the rest of the museum complex via an elevated, glass skywalk when it opens in fall 2008. Currently, the museum houses 72,000 square feet of function space for groups, and the expansion will give meeting planners additional venue options.
Warwick
- The Crowne Plaza Hotel Providence–Warwick (401.732.6000; www.crowneplaza.com) plans to break ground on a 113-room expansion this spring and open the new wing in summer 2008. The hotel currently houses 266 guest rooms, which were recently renovated, and 34,000 square feet of meeting space.
- Radisson Airport Hotel Providence (401.739.3000; www.radisson.com/warwickri) completed a guest room renovation last winter. The property contains 111 guest rooms and 11,000 square feet of meeting space.