Illinois
- Chicago Marriott Naperville opened in April in the Windy City’s western suburbs. The hotel has 424 guest rooms, 25,000 square feet of meeting space and a 7,000-square-foot ballroom accomodating up to 800 guests. The $30 million renovation modernized the lobby and upgraded wired and wireless Internet to all guest rooms. The hotel will also be home to more than 40,000 Northern Italian bees that will pollinate gardens and provide honey to be used in food service. For more information, call 630.505.4900 or visit www.chicagomarriottnaperville.com.
- The 752-room Westin Michigan Avenue in Chicago underwent a $6 million renovation, modernizing its entire 37,000 square feet of meeting space, including ballrooms and banquet halls. For more information, call 866.716.8104 or visit www.thewestinmichiganavenue.com.
- Chicago’s new boutique Ivy Hotel opened this spring with 63 guest rooms, the majority of which are suites. On the 15th floor, groups will find 3,100 square feet of event space with high ceilings and oversized windows. For more information, call 312.335.5444 or visit www.exploreivy.com.
- Northbrook’s Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel unveiled 22,000 square feet of newly renovated event space. The hotel’s business areas, event spaces and two 4,000-square-foot ballrooms offer views of downtown Chicago. For more information, call 847.498.6500 or visit www.marriott.com.
- Joie de Vivre opened Hotel Lincoln on Chicago’s North Side. Located across from the Lincoln Park Zoo and Lake Michigan, the property has 184 guest rooms, and the Perennial Virant restaurant sits on the ground floor. A rooftop lounge with 360-degree views can accommodate 175 guests outdoors and 75 on an enclosed terrace. Indoor meeting rooms provide space for up to 100. For more information, call 312.254.4700 or visit www.jdvhotels.com.
- Renovations began at Peoria’s historic Hotel Pere Marquette under a new developer. The project is part of a $98.2 million downtown development program, which also includes the $14.2 million construction of a Marriott Courtyard. The Pere Marquette will close during the renovation and is expected to reopen in March 2013. For more information, visit www.peoria.org.
Iowa
- The Iowa Events Center (IEC) underwent a $42 million expansion, unveiling the renovated Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. The convention center added 21 meeting rooms and more than 33,000 square feet of event space, bringing the IEC’s total to 226,000 square feet and 32 rooms. New LED lighting and audiovisual tools were added to the meeting space. The project followed green renovation practices, recycling 99 percent of waste and diverting 8,500 tons from the landfill. For more information, call 515.564.8001 or visit www.iowaeventscenter.com.
Michigan
- The former Radisson Hotel in Grand Rapids became the independent Riverfront Hotel. The 162-room property is located near downtown and offers 2,500 square feet of meeting space. For more information, call 855.344.6835 or visit www.ontherivergr.com.
- Minneapolis Marriott Northwest is concluding a property remodel and is scheduled to reopen in July. The 230-suite hotel in Brooklyn Park offers a 35,000-square-foot conference facility with 25 event rooms and three ballrooms. For more information, call 763.536.8300 or visit www.marriott.com.
Minnesota
- Located 15 minutes from downtown in the western suburb of Plymouth, Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West completed a $5 million renovation. Lighting, audiovisual systems and other soft furnishings were included in the upgrade. The hotel offers 38 meeting rooms totaling more than 38,000 square feet of event space. For more information, call 763.559.6600 or visit www.cpplymouth.com.