Albany/Saratoga
Plans for a contemporary, full-service convention facility in downtown Albany continue to advance, with 75 percent of the land for the proposed New York State Convention Center (518.275.4920) now acquired. Construction could begin this year on the project, with proposed specifications calling for 60,000 square feet of exhibition space, 25,000 square feet of multipurpose/ballroom space, a 10,000-square-foot junior ballroom and 22,500 square feet of meeting space.
In nearby Saratoga Springs, the Saratoga Springs City Center (518.584.0027) just completed an expansion and renovation project adding 12,000 square feet of flexible space for a total of 32,000 square feet on two floors, each with its own kitchen.
Buffalo/Niagara Falls
Following its successful July 2010 launch, the luxurious 153-room Embassy Suites Buffalo (716.842.1000) is now expanding to 182 rooms by adding another floor, scheduled for completion around May 2011.
With 72,000 square feet of versatile meeting and exhibit space, Adam’s Mark Buffalo (716.845.5100 ) is scheduled to complete a renovation of all 486 guest rooms this spring.
The 396-room Hyatt Regency Buffalo (716.856.1234) completed a $15 million property redesign last fall, including the full-service Spa Alexis and an indoor rooftop pool.
In October 2010, the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center (716.855.5555) unveiled $7 million in improvements, including a new facade and digital signboard outside, a renovated exhibit hall and an expanded and updated kitchen.
Rochester
The 338-room Hyatt Regency Rochester (585.546.1234) expects to complete a multi-stage renovation project this spring. The hotel unveiled its newly expanded fitness center and redesigned ballroom last fall. Remaining phases include a redesign of the hotel’s prefunction spaces, lobby area, restaurant, bar, and presidential and business suites.
Syracuse
A new 123-room Staybridge Suites will open this spring and be connected to the newly refurbished 197-room Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool (315.457.1122).
Slated to open this April, Hotel Skyler (315.476.4212) is a unique conversion of a Jewish temple into a LEED Platinum Hotel. Set to be Syracuse’s first LEED-certified hotel, the 58-room property includes two treehouse suites.
The 235-room Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center (315.475.3000) is undergoing a multimillion-dollar style and comfort renovation project, with completion of room upgrades targeted for this spring and a second phase set to be finished by late 2011.
Reflagged from the Syracuse Renaissance in August 2010, the 279-room Crowne Plaza Syracuse (315.479.7000) continues to make style and technology upgrades.
Lake Placid/Adirondacks
Scheduled for completion this spring and with events already booked, the striking new Conference Center at Lake Placid (518.523.2445) offers 90,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space, including two 20,000-square-foot, column-free exhibit areas and many smaller, customizable venues. Anticipating Gold LEED certification, the facility also includes multiuse entertainment and athletic facilities and a full-service kitchen.
1,000 Islands
Targeting a summer 2011 opening, the 136-room Hilton Garden Inn-Watertown/Thousand Islands (315.788.1234) in Watertown will include 6,500 square feet of event space.