PEORIA, Ill.
The 84-year-old downtown hotel built in the Roaring '20s that once housed the infamous Shelton brothers, U.S. presidents, celebrities and entertainers has gone dark. With little fanfare, the Hotel Pere Marquette quit taking reservations on Dec. 2.
But the property’s future is anything but bleak: Marriott has taken over the space. Still, the timeline of when groups or even transient guests can start booking rooms is a bit uncertain. "It could be anywhere from four to six months until the Marriott people take it over," according to Bob Marx, president and CEO of the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Until Marriott staff comes in, or the regional office in Chicago takes a more aggressive position, we'll handle any phone inquiries. We won't be able to book anything.”
Marx said the PACVB has gotten inquiries about conventions related to the potential February 2013 reopening of the Pere Marquette into a 284-room Marriott project, but he can't guarantee anything until a closing on the property—expected by year end--takes place.
In the meantime, Joel Green, the hotel’s director of sales, is suggesting that people looking for convention or hotel space in February 2013 look elsewhere.
