Marcus Hotels Press > Hotel Management Press Releases

08.15.17

Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District Now Open

Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
The 333-Room, Full-Service Hotel, A Major Anchor of Omaha’s New Capitol District

Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), and Marriott Hotels announced today the official opening of the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District in Omaha, Neb. The 333-room, 12-story hotel is the first new full-service premium hotel to open in Omaha in more than a decade. It also serves as a major anchor of the Capitol District, an upscale urban destination dining and entertainment district located in the heart of downtown Omaha. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is a minority investor in the property and is managing the new hotel.

“We are thrilled to officially welcome guests to the Omaha Marriott Downtown located in the city’s first entertainment district, the Capitol District. Led by General Manager Steve Hilton, the hotel team has spent countless hours over the past year ensuring that the Omaha Marriott Downtown is an exceptional place to stay, meet, relax, dine and celebrate,” said Joseph Khairallah, president and chief operating officer of Marcus Hotels & Resorts. “The Omaha Marriott Downtown serves as a social hub for visitors and guests alike and will be the ideal venue for meetings, conventions, special events, weddings, galas and corporate gatherings. We are delighted to be a part of Omaha’s exciting new development and look forward to providing a uniquely sophisticated and urban experience for years to come.”

The iconic new Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District was designed by internationally renowned architecture firm LEO A DALY and was built by construction firm JE Dunn. Winged corners on the south side of the building enable breathtaking 270-degree views of downtown Omaha’s skyline. Materials, such as brick and iron, are used throughout the property to convey a warehouse style inspired by Omaha’s Old Market neighborhood. Wood paneling hints at Omaha’s roots but is tailored with modern details in keeping with Marriott’s midcentury-modern-inspired aesthetic.

On the ground floor, the Omaha Marriott Downtown’s Greatroom lobby area is welcoming and open. Large windows and high ceilings provide views to the CenturyLink Arena & Convention Center to the east, and the city skyline to the west. As the stylish hub of the hotel for social gatherings both day and night, the lobby is the place to see and be seen, and provides the ideal space for guests to relax, collaborate with colleagues or end the night with a refreshing cocktail.

Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
The Omaha Marriott Downtown Front Desk

Dining at the Omaha Marriot Downtown
In addition to the welcoming, social atmosphere of the lobby, the Omaha Marriott Downtown’s ground floor features a full-service dining restaurant, Society 1854, and bar, Burdock + Bitters. Both concepts pay homage to Omaha’s industrial history, bringing a timeless, high-quality dining experience to the table.

Society 1854, named for the year Omaha was founded, offers a regionally inspired menu created by executive chef Brent Hockenberry that features handcrafted recipes focusing on “all things local.” The menu includes familiar American cuisine with a unique, creative flair. Omaha’s newest bar and lounge, Burdock + Bitters, offers an array of spirits and cocktails including an international collection of whiskey, select beer and wine and delectable small plates. Named for two prominent ingredients in the classic American drink, The Old Fashioned, Burdock + Bitters is the perfect setting for after work happy hours, unwinding after a day of meetings or a fun night on the town.

Redesigned Marriott
Marriott Hotels brand is in the midst of a major transformation, evolving everything from hotel design to associate training. The Omaha Marriott Downtown embodies this evolution, echoing the sentiment that guests value personalized experiences and creativity. As part of this transformation, the new Omaha Marriott Downtown will feature floor to ceiling windows in all its guest rooms, contemporary chic décor throughout the property, deluxe bathroom amenities and 13 suites with custom furnishings and dynamic cityscape views.

“We want our guests to experience forward-thinking, aesthetically pleasing spaces that help foster their inventive nature,” said Matthew Carroll, vice president of Marriott Hotels. “Marriott Hotels has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation in travel to create experiences that inspire and push our guests’ creativity. The Omaha Marriott Downtown has accomplished this and more, and we know their guests will be thrilled.”

The luxurious guest rooms are complimented by the additional amenities found throughout the property, such as a rooftop pool with a bar and entertainment area, outdoor event areas and more than 17,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including an 11,000 square-foot ballroom, one of the largest in Omaha. The Omaha Marriott Downtown’s “Next Gen” meeting space is customizable for every group. The meeting spaces include a flexible set up, the ability to adapt to a variety of formats and group sizes with pivoting walls, moveable partitions, soft seating and modular furniture to ensure every team’s meeting space is perfectly suited to their needs. Ideas are easily captured with tools, such as rewritable surfaces, magnetic panels and shared-screen technology.

The new property also has a concierge lounge, an exclusive area dedicated to Elite Marriott Rewards members and other VIP guests with high quality comfort and modern conveniences. Located on the third floor of the hotel, the lounge offers guests numerous perks including a range of complimentary food and beverage options, a private pool deck entrance, free wi-fi, 24-hour access and other business necessities.

Last year, Marriott Hotels introduced its mobile innovations global roll-out, featuring its industry-pioneering two-way chat feature, Mobile Request, on the Marriott Mobile App. The mobile innovations are all available to Omaha Marriott Downtown guests.

“Our team is ready to make sure every guest experience at the new Omaha Marriott Downtown is unforgettable. Whether guests are visiting for a business meeting, a wedding, a city-wide conference, a weekend getaway, or a college reunion, we are here to provide unparalleled and exceptional service. We are excited to open our doors and be a part of this vibrant and growing city,” said Steve Hilton, general manager of the Omaha Marriott Downtown.

In addition to the Omaha Marriott Downtown, the $205 million Capitol District, developed by Shamrock Development, will include 218 luxury residential apartments, Class A office space, a 525-stall parking garage and 90,000 square feet of retail space for restaurants, shops and entertainment, all located around an active, state-of-the-art plaza area that is a contemporary, modern day town square. The plaza will be a primary space for citywide events and concerts, and will serve as a connection point to residential, retail and other uses in the Capitol District.

The new Capitol District is located in the heart of downtown Omaha across the street from the CenturyLink Arena & Convention Center and TD Ameritrade Park, home of the NCAA College World Series and other major NCAA and regional events. The Omaha Marriott Downtown is located at 222 N. 10th Street.

For more information about the Omaha Marriott Downtown, please visit http://www.downtownomahamarriott.com/.

More information on the Capitol District Development is available at http://www.capitoldistrictomaha.com.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 18 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, featuring premier brands such as Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse and Miller Time Pub & Grill. The company is also growing its experiential restaurant concept, The SafeHouse, with a second location that opened in early 2017 in Chicago, Ill. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

About Marriott Hotels
With nearly 550 hotels and resorts in over 55 countries and territories around the world, Marriott Hotels is evolving travel through every aspect of the guest’s stay, enabling the next generation to Travel Brilliantly. Boldly transforming itself for mobile and global travelers who blend work and play, Marriott leads the industry with innovations, including the Greatroom lobby and Mobile Guest Services that elevates style & design and technology. Marriott Hotels is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®. Members can now link accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. To learn more, visit www.MarriottHotels.com. Stay connected to Marriott Hotels on Facebook, @marriott on Twitter and @marriotthotels on Instagram.

About the Capitol District
The Capitol District is Omaha’s newest downtown entertainment district. The District surrounds a technology-smart, modern town square and will feature a 218-unit high rise apartment tower, a full-service Marriott hotel, Class A office space, plenty of adjacent parking and over 20 diverse restaurants and bars – all within walking distance of Omaha’s best civic, cultural and entertainment venues and the Riverfront. The Capitol District will connect, invigorate and entertain Omaha. The District will welcome people year-round at all times of day by hosting collaborative events, live music and everyday fun. The Capitol District is being developed by Shamrock Development, an Omaha company that specializes in creating urban mixed-use developments. For more information, visit www.capitoldistrictomaha.com.

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08.09.17

Marcus® Hotels & Resorts Properties and Restaurants Recognized with TripAdvisor® 2017 Certificate of Excellence

Marcus Hotels and Resorts logo

Marcus Hotels and Resorts Logo

Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a nationally recognized hotel owner and management company and division of The Marcus Corporation, today announced that 23 of its hotels and restaurants have received the TripAdvisor® 2017 Certificate of Excellence. The recognition honors top-rated accommodation businesses, restaurants and attractions, as reviewed by travelers on the world’s largest travel site.

Now in its seventh year, the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months. Winners of the prestigious award include accommodations, eateries and attractions of all sizes across the globe.

Marcus Hotels & Resorts 2017 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winners are:

Hotels
AC Hotel Chicago Downtown | Chicago, Ill.
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa | Lake Geneva, Wis.
Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington | Bloomington, Minn.
Hilton Garden Inn – Houston Northwest | Houston, Texas
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace | Madison, Wis.
Hilton Milwaukee City Center | Milwaukee, Wis.
Skirvin Hilton Hotel | Oklahoma City, Okla.
The Garland | North Hollywood, Calif.
The Lincoln Cornhusker Marriott Hotel | Lincoln, Neb.
The Pfister Hotel | Milwaukee, Wis.
The Platinum Hotel & Spa | Las Vegas, Nev.
Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark | Lake Geneva, Wis.
Westin Atlanta Perimeter North | Atlanta, Ga.

Restaurants
Bloomington ChopHouse | Bloomington, Minn.
Blu Lounge | Milwaukee, Wis.
Geneva ChopHouse | Lake Geneva, Wis.
Kil@Wat | Milwaukee, Wis.
Mason Street Grill | Milwaukee, Wis.
Miller Time Pub & Grill | Lincoln, Neb.
Milwaukee ChopHouse | Milwaukee, Wis.
Ristorante Brissago | Lake Geneva, Wis.
SafeHouse | Milwaukee, Wis.
SAVOR bar & kitchen | Atlanta, Ga.

“We are honored to receive 23 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence awards in 2017,” said Joe Khairallah, president and chief operating officer. “Providing an extraordinary experience for our guests begins the moment they walk through the front door. Our associates are dedicated to serving people and creating lasting memories and this accolade recognizes their hard work to making every guest interaction exceptional.”

“The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence program gives exceptional businesses in a variety of different industries around the world the recognition they deserve,” said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. “From top-rated restaurants in Boston to top-rated attractions in Barcelona, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience.”

For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 17 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, featuring premier brands such as Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse and Miller Time Pub & Grill. The company is also growing its experiential restaurant concept, The SafeHouse, with a second location that opened in early 2017 in Chicago, Ill. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

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07.31.17

Designing Omaha’s First Entertainment District – The Capitol District

Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
Anchored by the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District, the Capitol District to bring apartments, retail, office and outdoor space to downtown Omaha.

A new district is emerging in downtown Omaha. The Capitol District, a mixed-use development combining hotel, apartments, retail, office, and outdoor entertainment, will open in phases starting in August with the opening of the new premier full-service Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District.

Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District

An Iconic Hotel
The iconic new 333-room Omaha Marriott Downtown, managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, was designed by the internationally renowned architecture firm LEO A DALY and is being built by JE Dunn. The 12-story glass building is a significant addition to the downtown skyline, complementing the distinctive roofline of the Omaha Convention Center. The transparent building envelope creates a sophisticated presence along 10th street. “At night, the building takes on an elegant glow,” said David Hawes, architect with LEO A DALY.

The building’s “wow” feature, winged corners on its south side, enable breathtaking 270-degree views of downtown Omaha’s skyline that are unique in the city. The full-service hotel features over 17,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, hospitality suites, a roof top swimming pool with bar/entertainment area, full-service restaurant and bar and extra-large fitness center.

A Social Hotspot
On the pedestrian level, the Omaha Marriott Downtown is welcoming and transparent. “We were careful to create as much visual frontage as possible on the street level to allow people to see and be seen,” added Hawes. “The high ceilings make the lobby a ‘celebratory space’ with views to the convention center to the east, and the city skyline to the west.”

“Hotels are becoming social hubs, places to hang out before and after events, and just popular cultural hotspots in general. We wanted the design to encourage locals and visitors to mingle in a casual but sophisticated environment,” said Michelle Holmes, interior designer with LEO A DALY.
Marriott was recruited for the hotel expressly because of the full-service chain’s social, inviting vibe. “The Marriott brand is based around a ‘great room,’ and that’s exactly what we wanted the lobby to be – a social space for the city,” Holmes said.

Comprising three main uses – lounge, dining room, and bar – the different portions of the grand lobby spill over into each other to create a cohesive but intimate gathering space.

Local materials such as brick and iron bring the warehouse style of the Old Market into a sophisticated space, according to Holmes. Wood paneling hints at Omaha’s roots, but is tailored with modern sophistication in keeping with Marriott’s midcentury-modern-inspired aesthetic.

“It’s all about layering textures – marrying old and new,” added Holmes.

A Dynamic Urban Hub
The Capitol District forms a critical link between the events district, Riverfront, Old Market, and downtown core, adding much-needed density to the two blocks between 10th and 12th Street, south of Davenport.

“We wanted to create a vibrant, walkable enclave that is unlike anything else in downtown,” said Hawes. “The design invites visitors who may feel isolated in the events district to experience the real Omaha, while also creating a comfortable, active place for residents to live, work, and play.”

Capitol District will be the first entertainment district in Omaha, taking advantage of a new city ordinance that allows alcoholic beverages outdoors. To complement the wide-open concept, the mixed-use design provides portals to entertainment that celebrates community use.

The hotel and 218-unit Capitol District Apartments bookend the District on the east and west, each offering public-facing retail and bar spaces that spill out onto a central plaza, which is designed to serve as a modern town square. The hardscaped plaza, inspired by other great outdoor venues across the country, will have programming year-round, such as ice-skating and outdoor concerts.

The buildings embrace the street at their base with strong, linear forms of masonry, glass and steel, “modern in form, but embracing the industrial heritage of the surrounding areas,” Hawes added.

Development Progress
A third, retail-focused building along the site’s north side is under construction and will come online in Spring 2018. The eight-level parking garage has been completed and will connect, via skywalks, to the apartments, retail building and the Omaha Marriott Downtown. The final component, an office and retail building on the south side, is in the works.

Progress has been rapid on the Capitol District Apartments, set to open in July. Using a proprietary modular construction system designed and engineered by Prescient, general contractor MCL Construction was able to complete structural work on a floor per week basis to complete the building in record time.
More information on the Capitol District Development is available at: http://www.capitoldistrictomaha.com.

Views of the project site can also be seen live at: http://www.workzonecam.com/projects/shamrock/capitaldistrict/workzonecam.

For more information about the Omaha Marriott Downtown, visit http://www.downtownomahamarriott.com/.

For more information about The Capitol District Apartments, visit http://livecapitoldistrict.com.

About the Capitol District
The Capitol District is Omaha’s newest downtown entertainment district. The District surrounds a technology-smart, modern town square and will feature a 218-unit high rise apartment tower, a full-service Marriott hotel, Class A office space, plenty of adjacent parking and over 20 diverse restaurants and bars – all within walking distance of Omaha’s best civic, cultural and entertainment venues and the Riverfront. The Capitol District will connect, invigorate and entertain Omaha. The District will welcome people year-round at all times of day by hosting collaborative events, live music and everyday fun. The Capitol District is being developed by Shamrock Development, an Omaha company that specializes in creating urban mixed-use developments. For more information, visit www.capitoldistrictomaha.com and follow the development on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
Located in the heart of Omaha’s vibrant Capitol District, The Omaha Marriott Downtown is Omaha’s newest full-service premier hotel. Within easy walking distance from the CenturyLink Arena & Convention Center and TD Ameritrade Park, the Omaha Marriott Downtown is the ideal venue for business meetings, weddings and weekend getaways. The 333-room hotel offers stunning features and amenities including over 17,500 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, hospitality suites, outdoor roof top swimming pool with bar/entertainment area, Starbucks® café, extra-large fitness center, parking garage and personalized concierge services. As one of only 55 “Redesigned Marriott” hotels in the world, the Omaha Marriott Downtown features floor to ceiling windows in all its guest rooms and 13 suites with custom furnishings and dynamic cityscape views. In addition to its fine amenities, the hotel offers guests creative culinary dining options at Society 1854 and Burdock + Bitters, sure to take guests on a sensory food and beverage journey. For more information, please visit: http://www.downtownomahamarriott.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The hotel is managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a leader in the hospitality industry since 1962. Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

About Leo A Daly
Established in 1915, LEO A DALY is an international planning, architecture, engineering, and interior design firm. The firm’s award-winning portfolio includes projects in 91 countries and all 50 states. With 800 employees in 30 offices worldwide, the firm consistently ranks as a top international design firm. For more information, visit www.leoadaly.com.

06.30.17

Marcus Hotels & Resorts Announces Leadership Promotions and Appointments

Marcus Hotels & Resorts Logo

Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a nationally recognized hotel owner and management company and division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced the promotion of Mike Swasey to senior vice president of operations. Joe Sebestyen has been named area vice president of operations and Linda Price Topp has been promoted to vice president of sales.

Mike Swasey, Marcus Hotels & Resorts Joe Sebestyen, Marcus Hotels & Resorts Linda Price-Topp, Marcus Hotels & Resorts

Swasey joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2015 as area vice president of operations with more than 20 years of hospitality experience. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing the division’s area vice presidents, managing directors, corporate sales, and Wisconsin Hospitality Linen Service (WHLS), as well as three of the company’s premier properties in Milwaukee and Los Angeles: The Pfister Hotel, InterContinental Milwaukee and The Garland Hotel.

Prior to joining the company, Swasey served as vice president of hotel operations for Alena Hospitality, based in Orlando, Fla. His prior experience includes serving as vice president of asset management for Inland American Lodging Management, L.L.C. (now Xenia REIT) in Orlando, Fla., and serving in operations roles for B.F. Saul Company – Hospitality Group, Bethesda, Md.; Legacy Hospitality, Inc., Albuquerque, N.M.; InterContinental Hotel Group, Atlanta, Ga. and Sage Hospitality, Denver, Colo. Swasey graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and holds a master’s degree from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He serves on the American Hotel & Lodging Association Food & Beverage Committee and is a member of HAMA (Hospitality Asset Managers Association).

Sebestyen joins the company with over 20 years of experience with hotels, conference centers planning, development and operations. In his new role, he will oversee several of Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ properties nationwide, including: AC Hotel Chicago Downtown, Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City, Hilton Garden Inn in Houston, Texas, Westin Atlanta Perimeter North in Atlanta, Ga., Omaha Marriott Downtown in Omaha, Neb., Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, Neb., Platinum Hotel & Spa in Las Vegas and the Heidel House Resort & Spa in Green Lake, Wis.

Prior to joining Marcus Hotels & Resorts, Sebestyen served at Hotel Equities, a hotel management company based in Atlanta, Ga. where he was responsible for a portfolio of 20 properties across the Midwest. He also served as a regional director with the Compass Group, where he was responsible for the oversight of eight corporate conference centers and services and oversaw integrated facility management for ExxonMobil, Merck, The World Bank, CSX and Thunderbird Executive Conference center. Sebestyen’s experience also includes serving as a regional director for Marriott International, where he contributed to the development of the company’s brand standards and balanced scorecard for sales and operations and was recognized as the Marriott General Manager of the year in 1999.

His hospitality experience also includes facilitating a program on understanding conference centers within the Professional Development Program at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. He has served as president of the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) – a global organization with over 300 membership properties, where he received the Distinguished Award of Excellence in 2010. Sebestyen is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and currently serves on the Hotel and Restaurant Advisory Board at Oklahoma State University.

Price Topp joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 1993 in a sales role at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wis. She then went on to serve as the director of sales and marketing at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wis., the company’s AAA-Four Diamond hotel. She was promoted to market director, sales, marketing and revenue strategy for the Milwaukee market in 2009 responsible for Marcus’ three downtown Milwaukee properties. In her new role, she will oversee sales efforts for all 17 properties within the company’s portfolio, as well as continue to manage the company’s Milwaukee market sales team. Her extensive hospitality experience includes sales roles at La Costa Resort & Spa and Sugar Bay Plantation Resort in St. Thomas, USVI. Engagements in the travel management industry at American Express and Summit Performance Group round out her industry experience.

“Mike and Linda have a deep understanding of our business and have been outstanding performers in their operations and sales roles. We are also pleased to welcome Joe to Marcus Hotels & Resorts. His extensive hospitality experience and operational expertise will be an excellent addition to our business as we continue to grow our portfolio,” said Joseph Khairallah, president and chief operating officer of Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit https://media.marcushotels.com.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 17 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, featuring premier brands such as Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse and Miller Time Pub & Grill. The company is also growing its experiential restaurant concept, The SafeHouse, with a second location that opened in early 2017 in Chicago, Ill. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

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06.14.17

Control Announces New Corporate Director of Operations for SafeHouse Restaurant Group

Sean Burke, SafeHouse Restaurants
Sean Burke, Corporate Director of Operations

Control, the clandestine organization tasked with establishing and maintaining SafeHouse Restaurants in Milwaukee and Chicago announced today that it has appointed Agent Irish Hammer, a.k.a. Sean Burke, as new corporate director of operations. In his new role as a top operative for the organization, Agent Irish Hammer will oversee operations for both secret SafeHouse locations.

Agent Hammer (for short) has been working in the hospitality field as an undercover operative for more than 20 years. In 2001, Water Street Brewery Group recruited him to serve as general manager of Louise’s Trattoria. After many successful missions, he was appointed director of operations for the entire company, overseeing all locations and helping to concept and open new restaurants for the group. Following his time with Water Street Brewery Group, Agent Hammer went “rogue” and opened his own restaurant – Burke’s Lakeside – in Oconomowoc, Wis. He later sold Burke’s Lakeside, and a second restaurant, Burke’s Irish Castle, and joined La Fuente Group as Vice President of Operations before joining the clandestine SafeHouse Restaurants.

“Agent Irish Hammer believes in creating a positive workplace for all operatives, whether it’s their first time seeking refuge or their hundredth,” Agent Blonde, a.k.a. Peggy Williams-Smith, senior vice president of the SafeHouse Restaurants, mentioned in a secret note. “His repertoire of spy knowledge and experience is a tremendous asset to our organization, and we are thrilled to have him join our team. Without a doubt, he will help ensure that our agents and havens create the best experience for every visiting spy, every time.”

Since first opening as a secret spy haven in 1966, SafeHouse Restaurant and Bar has covertly operated in Milwaukee under the alias, International Exports Ltd., and become the premier refuge for the world’s undercover elite visiting Milwaukee. This February, SafeHouse Restaurants expanded to a second covert location in Chicago.

For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com.

06.06.17

Capitol ChopHouse Names Nathan Mergen as General Manager


Nathan Mergen

Capitol ChopHouse, part of the Marcus® Restaurant Group, announced today that it has named Nathan Mergen as general manager. In his new role, Mergen will oversee all aspects of the restaurant located within the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace.

Mergen brings more than 15 years of experience working in top restaurants, kitchens and cellars throughout the world. Mergen served as opening general manager of New York City icon, Eataly. He also served as food and beverage manager at the Strand Hotel and was corporate director of service at Les Halles. Prior to his arrival at the Capitol ChopHouse, Mergen worked as a private chef in the Bahamas and served as director of catering and convention services for The Edgewater Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin, where he was responsible for planning and executing large group events and overall operations.

“We are thrilled to have Nathan join our team. He brings a wealth of experience from some very prestigious restaurants, including both back and front of house expertise,” said Skip Harless, general manager of the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace. “The Capitol ChopHouse is committed to bringing a world-class dining experience to Madison guests, and I know that Nathan will be a great asset in providing that level of quality and service to our customers.”

For more information about the Capitol ChopHouse visit www.capitolchophouse.com.

About Marcus Restaurant Group
Milwaukee-based Marcus Restaurant Group, an operating unit of Marcus Hotels & Resorts, develops and operates distinctive nationwide establishments ranging from casual and fine dining to trendy lounges and creative concepts. From cuisine and cocktails to ambiance and vibe, each Marcus Restaurant Group experience is carefully designed to fuse with the local scene, offering the finest quality farm-to-table products, wine and craft beverages and inspired dishes that cater to every taste. Award-winning concepts include Miller Time Pub & Grill, ChopHouse, Mason Street Grill and The SafeHouse. Frequent diners are encouraged to partake in the Marcus Rewards loyalty program at participating restaurants, bars and lounges at http://www.marcusrewards.com. For more information on Marcus Restaurant Group please visit http://www.marcusrestaurants.com or visit Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates.

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05.24.17

Memorial Day Getaways for Under $100 at Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ Milwaukee Properties

Who needs barbeques when you can take a vacation or stay-cation in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin for less than $100? Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ premier properties in Milwaukee – The Pfister Hotel, InterContinental Milwaukee and Hilton Milwaukee City Center – are offering a night’s stay and parking for under $100 on Memorial Day, as well as other incredible deals Memorial Day weekend.

The Memorial Day promotions, which include parking at each respective property, include:

The Pfister HotelCall 414-273-8222 to make a reservation.

o $99.00 on Memorial Day;
o $229.00 per night Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28

InterContinental MilwaukeeCall 414-276-8666 to make a reservation.

o $89.00 on Memorial Day;
o $175.00 per night Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28

Hilton Milwaukee City CenterCall 414-271-7250 to make a reservation.

o $89.00 on Memorial Day;
o $159.00 per night Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28

Parking is included in cost. Rates do not include taxes and gratuity. Promotion is subject to availability. More information about each package is available at www.mkepackages.com/memorialday.

For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 17 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, featuring premier brands such as Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse and Miller Time Pub & Grill. The company is also growing its experiential restaurant concept, The SafeHouse, with a second location that opened in early 2017 in Chicago, Ill. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

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05.16.17

Marcus® Hotels & Resorts Names Travis Martinez as Pastry Chef of The Pfister Hotel

Milwaukee, Wis., May 16, 2017. . . .The Pfister Hotel, owned and managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, today announced the appointment of Travis Martinez as executive pastry chef. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing the production of all confections and chocolates within the historic downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin hotel.

Martinez joins The Pfister’s premier culinary team with more than 10 years of pastry and baking experience. He has worked as a pastry chef or baker at top luxury properties and casinos throughout the United States, including Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Potawatomi Resort & Casino in Milwaukee, and Table Mountain Casino in Friant, California. Prior to coming to The Pfister Hotel, Martinez served as a pastry chef and chocolatier for JinJu Chocolates in Las Vegas, an award-winning artisan shop known for its gourmet, hand-crafted chocolates. In 2015, Martinez was also a finalist for the Food Network’s season 1 of “Cake Wars: Christmas,” where he competed with other pastry chefs and food artists from around the country to create decadent Christmas themed dessert displays.

Martinez received a professional certificate in baking and pastry from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco.

For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com.

About The Pfister Hotel
The Pfister Hotel has been the premier hotel in downtown Milwaukee for over 120 years. Originally built in 1893 by businessman Guido Pfister, it was the most lavish hotel of its time. The hotel’s storied elegance had faded following World War II, until 1962, when Ben Marcus, founder of The Marcus Corporation, purchased this grand hotel out of bankruptcy. The Marcus family renovated and restored the hotel to its original glory, adding convention facilities, a parking garage and 23-story guest tower. The Pfister Hotel remains home to the largest collection of Victorian art of any hotel in the world, and offers an interactive augmented reality tour of pieces in this impressive collection.

Today, The Pfister Hotel continues its tradition of gracious service and impeccable style, and has been recognized for 41 consecutive years by AAA as a Four-Diamond property. In 2017, The Pfister Hotel was ranked the No. 1 Best Milwaukee Hotel by U.S. News & World Report. This exceptional property is a member of two prestigious hotel organizations, Historic Hotels of America and Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The Pfister Hotel is located at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Milwaukee. For more information, please visit www.thepfisterhotel.com and follow the hotel on Facebook and Twitter (@PfisterHotel).

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05.11.17

Sara Davis-Zapata Named General Manager of the Marriott AC Hotel Chicago Downtown

The Marriott AC Hotel Chicago Downtown, owned and managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, today announced Sara Davis-Zapata has been appointed general manager. In her new role, Davis-Zapata will be responsible for all hotel operations at the 226-room property located steps from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

Sara Davis-Zapata

Prior to joining the Marriott AC Hotel Chicago Downtown, Davis-Zapata served as general manager of the Raffaello Hotel in Chicago, Ill., where she oversaw all hotel and beverage operations for the 173-room boutique property. Her previous positions at the Raffaello Hotel included serving as controller and human resources account manager, as well as working for the hotel’s management company, Crescent Heights, as a special projects coordinator.

Davis-Zapata began her hospitality career at the Allerton Hotel in Chicago and Chicago’s Hard Rock Hotel. She received a bachelor’s degree in social science from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Ill. She and her family reside in Wauconda, Ill.

“Sara’s strong Chicago connections and deep experience managing hotels in this popular travel market will be a great asset to the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown. Her leadership will help further advance our position as a top lifestyle hotel in Chicago,” said Joseph Khairallah, president and chief operating officer of Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

Located in the heart of Chicago’s upscale shopping, dining and entertainment district, the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown offers guests European elegance and high-quality services. The stylish hotel located at 630 N. Rush Street, boasts urban, simplistic and clean designs with European aesthetics, the latest technology and communal functional spaces and innovative food and beverage programming it its AC Lounge and AC Kitchen. AC Hotel Chicago Downtown opened in June 2015 and was one of the first five AC Hotels by Marriott branded properties to open in the U.S.

AC Hotel Chicago Downtown offers nearly 3,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, European style breakfast, delicious small plate dining in the evening, craft cocktails at the hotel’s signature AC Lounge, communal spaces and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property.

About AC Hotels by Marriott
AC Hotels by Marriott®, a lifestyle brand that celebrates a new modern aesthetic complemented by a European soul and Spanish roots boasts more than 90 design-led hotels in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Turkey, France and the United States. Design-driven AC Hotels edit away the unnecessary to remove friction, providing thoughtfully designed moments of beauty, allowing guests to focus on what’s important to them. Property highlights include design-savvy guest rooms with sleek furnishings and intuitive technology features. See achotels.marriott.com for more information.

05.02.17

150 New Jobs to Result from the Opening of the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District

Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District

Omaha’s New Premier Downtown Hotel Looking to Hire Full-time and Part-time Positions in Anticipation of July Opening

OMAHA, Neb., May 2, 2017. . . . .The soon to open premier full-service Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District, managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, today announced that it is looking to hire 150 full-time and part-time positions within the next three months. Slated to open July 2017, the Omaha Marriott Downtown will be the first new full-service hotel to open in Omaha, Neb. in more than 10 years. The 333-room hotel is also projected to accommodate more than 500,000 guests each year. Within the first year of operation, guests are projected to spend more than $15 million in the local economy.

“With the addition of more than 1,550 jobs during the construction phase of the project, as well as the 150 new jobs needed for future operations, the Omaha Marriott Downtown will have a significant economic impact on Omaha and the downtown area. As we near the official opening of the hotel, we are greatly looking forward to contributing to the vibrancy and success of our city,” said Steve Hilton, general manager of the Omaha Marriott Downtown.

Located adjacent to the CenturyLink Arena & Convention Center and TD Ameritrade Park, the 12-story Omaha Marriott Downtown is serving as a major anchor for the $205 million Capitol District being developed by Shamrock Development, Inc. The hotel is also planned to be part of Marriott’s new design concept called “Redesigned Marriott.” As one of only 55 “Redesigned Marriott” hotels in the world, the Omaha Marriott Downtown will feature floor to ceiling windows in all its guest rooms and 13 suites with custom furnishings and dynamic cityscape views.

When combined with the hotel’s 17,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, outdoor event areas, roof-top swimming pool, full-service restaurant and bar, and additional luxury amenities, the Omaha Marriott Downtown’s modern chic rooms and exceptional service will make the hotel a premier location for business meetings, weddings, weekend getaways and much more.

Looking to Hire People with a “Spirit to Serve”
“After recently naming approximately 20 key positions for the hotel, including an exceptional new executive chef, Brent Hockenberry, and top sales and management positions, the Omaha Marriott Downtown team is looking forward to welcoming new staff members,” Hilton added. “We strive for service excellence in everything we do, so over the next few months, we will be looking for the top people in our community to serve our valued local, national and even international guests. We are currently hiring individuals in 15-20 management roles, with more positions opening later this spring and early summer.”

Job Fair May 22 at Omaha Design Center
The Omaha Marriott Downtown will be holding a job fair May 22, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Omaha Design Center, 1502 Cuming Street, Omaha, Neb. for those interested in joining the hotel team. New employees are needed for culinary, server, front office and guest service, housekeeping, and other operational positions. Prospective employees can search for and apply to job openings at DowntownOmahaMarriott.com/apply, or by calling (402) 807-8000. New positions are added daily.

The Omaha Marriott Downtown is now accepting reservations for group blocks, meetings, weddings, and individual reservations. If you would like to make an individual reservation, please call (844) 696-3779 or make a reservation online. For those interested in booking a meeting or wedding, please contact Megan Gilligan, director of sales and marketing, via phone at (531) 205-7354, or email her at megangilligan@marcushotels.com.

For more information about the hotel, visit http://www.downtownomahamarriott.com/.

More information on the Capitol District Development is available at http://www.capitoldistrictomaha.com. Views of the project site can also be seen live at: http://www.workzonecam.com/projects/shamrock/capitaldistrict/workzonecam.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 17 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, featuring premier brands such as Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse and Miller Time Pub & Grill. The company is also growing its experiential restaurant concept, The SafeHouse, with a second location that opened in early 2017 in Chicago, Ill. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

About the Capitol District
The Capitol District is Omaha’s only downtown entertainment district. The District surrounds a technology-smart, modern town square and will feature a 218-unit high rise apartment tower, a full-service Marriott hotel, Class A office space, plenty of adjacent parking and over 20 diverse restaurants and bars – all within walking distance of Omaha’s best civic, cultural and entertainment venues and the Riverfront. The Capitol District will connect, invigorate and entertain Omaha. The District will welcome people year-round at all times of day by hosting collaborative events, live music and everyday fun. For more information, visit www.capitoldistrictomaha.com

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