BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The federal stimulus package is allowing the Mall of America to revive its long-delayed plan for an upscale $130 million hotel.
The 2009 federal stimulus bill made tax-exempt bonding authority available to Hennepin County for qualified construction projects that can get under way quickly. The Bloomington Port Authority wants to issue $40.3 million in tax-exempt bonds for the project.
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Thursday, August 12, 2010
Owner of Tibets Yak Hotel get life in prison
BEIJING — One of Tibet's richest businessmen has been sentenced to life in prison for helping exile groups, a human rights organization said Thursday, the latest case in a surprising crackdown on well-known Tibetans once praised by Chinese authorities.
Dorje Tashi was sentenced on June 26 in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, said Urgen Tenzin, director of the India-based Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy.
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Dorje Tashi was sentenced on June 26 in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, said Urgen Tenzin, director of the India-based Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy.
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Wednesday, August 11, 2010
New plan for Century Plaza hotel adds two 46-story towers
After backing down from a contentious proposal to demolish the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel, the owner has unveiled plans to construct a high-rise real estate development next to the Space Age landmark that would transform the tenor of Century City's streets and dramatically alter the skyline.
The $1.5-billion proposal calls for two 46-story skyscrapers holding hundreds of condominiums and offices to be built behind the renowned hotel on Avenue of the Stars. Nearly half of the guest rooms would be replaced by luxury condos as part of a top-to-bottom makeover.
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The $1.5-billion proposal calls for two 46-story skyscrapers holding hundreds of condominiums and offices to be built behind the renowned hotel on Avenue of the Stars. Nearly half of the guest rooms would be replaced by luxury condos as part of a top-to-bottom makeover.
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Jailed in Dubai, Accused Wait Long After Good Times Have Gone
Not long ago, British businessman Ryan Cornelius was living the high life, doing deals out of Bahrain and taking his family big-game fishing on his yacht and on safari in Kenya. He’s now into his third year in a Dubai jail cell, yet to be convicted of anything.
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Sea Island Co. to file Chapter 11, sell properties
Sea Island Co., operator of the famed Georgia coastal resort since the 1920s, will file for bankruptcy protection today and announce a deal to sell most of its assets, according to the company’s top executive.
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Tuesday, August 10, 2010
InterContinental Hotels Says Room Rates Are Rising
LONDON—InterContinental Hotels Group PLC said room rates, which fell during the recession, have started to rise in most markets as the return of business travelers continues to boost its revenue and profit.
The world's largest hotel operator by number of rooms said Tuesday that revenue per available room, or revpar—a key industry measure—rose 7.4% in the second quarter of the year, compared with a 0.2% rise in the first quarter. By July, revpar was up 8.1%. A 1% increase in revpar improves full-year operating profit by $13 million
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The world's largest hotel operator by number of rooms said Tuesday that revenue per available room, or revpar—a key industry measure—rose 7.4% in the second quarter of the year, compared with a 0.2% rise in the first quarter. By July, revpar was up 8.1%. A 1% increase in revpar improves full-year operating profit by $13 million
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Soccer star David Beckham and chef Gordon Ramsay to open L.A. pub?
If you live in Los Angeles and you've been looking for a place where you can knock back a few pints, talk some soccer, maybe listen to some of the Spice Girls' greatest hits and, if you're lucky, witness a belligerent chef verbally abusing pretty much everyone ... well, you might not have to search much longer.
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Trump Entertainment May Seek Hotel Partner to Upgrade Plaza
Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc., the Atlantic City casino company that emerged from bankruptcy last month, said it may seek a hotel partner to renovate the Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino.
“One of the options is a joint venture, where we would probably donate the real estate,” Chief Executive Officer Mark Juliano said in an interview. The partner would “pump capital into the existing property, to both renovate it and add a new room tower,” he said.
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“One of the options is a joint venture, where we would probably donate the real estate,” Chief Executive Officer Mark Juliano said in an interview. The partner would “pump capital into the existing property, to both renovate it and add a new room tower,” he said.
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Gordon Ramsay stands to pocket £5m with TV firm sell-off
Years of financial woes have seen his global empire begin to crumble.
But it seems that after successive setbacks Gordon Ramsay may at last have some good news.
The chef is in line to make £5million by selling his 50 per cent stake in the TV company that makes all his shows.
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But it seems that after successive setbacks Gordon Ramsay may at last have some good news.
The chef is in line to make £5million by selling his 50 per cent stake in the TV company that makes all his shows.
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Monday, August 9, 2010
McDonald's July Sales Rise 7%, Topping Estimates
McDonald’s Corp. said comparable- store sales climbed 7 percent last month from a year earlier, the biggest monthly gain since January 2009, fueled by U.S. and Asian sales at the world’s largest restaurant chain.
Analysts projected global sales would advance 5.1 percent, the median of three estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Sales at restaurants open at least 13 months rose in all regions, with a 5.7 percent increase in the U.S. and a 10 percent gain in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
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Analysts projected global sales would advance 5.1 percent, the median of three estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Sales at restaurants open at least 13 months rose in all regions, with a 5.7 percent increase in the U.S. and a 10 percent gain in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
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A,B, & C grades start to hit New York Restaurants
Since July 27, when the city's health department began issuing letter grades evaluating restaurants' cleanliness, 443 eateries have been visited by an inspector and just 16% of them received an A, the highest mark.
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Asian tycoon wants to sell the London Waldorf
One of Britain's wealthiest Asian entrepreneurs is preparing to check out of an historic London hotel for up to £250 million.
Gulshan Bhatia bought the Hilton Waldorf from Royal Bank of Scotland for £180 million in 2007. The five-star, 299-room hotel in the Aldwych, near Covent Garden, central London, was built in 1908.
One source close to the situation said: 'Mrs Bhatia is looking to increase her presence in London by using the money raised to snap up smaller hotels.'
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Gulshan Bhatia bought the Hilton Waldorf from Royal Bank of Scotland for £180 million in 2007. The five-star, 299-room hotel in the Aldwych, near Covent Garden, central London, was built in 1908.
One source close to the situation said: 'Mrs Bhatia is looking to increase her presence in London by using the money raised to snap up smaller hotels.'
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Portfolio Hotels & Resorts will manage the Hilton Greenville
ROSEMONT, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chicago-based Portfolio Hotels & Resorts has announced the addition of the Hilton Greenville in Greenville, SC to its management portfolio, bringing the company’s total to 4365 managed rooms across six states. The 256 room full service hotel is located on I-385 North, in Greenville’s premier business, shopping, dining and entertainment district and just three minutes from downtown.
“We’re excited about welcoming this highly regarded Hilton hotel into the Portfolio family,” stated Graham Hershman, COO of Portfolio Hotels & Resorts. “We look forward to bringing our extensive experience in full service hotel management to the operation of this well-situated property.”
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“We’re excited about welcoming this highly regarded Hilton hotel into the Portfolio family,” stated Graham Hershman, COO of Portfolio Hotels & Resorts. “We look forward to bringing our extensive experience in full service hotel management to the operation of this well-situated property.”
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$57-a-night hotel opens in London this month, but towels are extra
A Malaysian hotel chain is hoping it can do for the hotel business what Ryanair did for air travel in England.
Tune Hotels is opening a hotel with 75 rooms in London on Westminster Bridge Road, close to many of London’s many attractions from Big Ben, to the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye.
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Tune Hotels is opening a hotel with 75 rooms in London on Westminster Bridge Road, close to many of London’s many attractions from Big Ben, to the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye.
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Travelodge rules out sale to Whitbread
Budget hotel group Travelodge is not up for sale and its debt-laden owner Dubai International Capital (DIC) has had no approach from Whitbread (WTB.L), CEO Guy Parsons told Reuters, scotching media speculation.
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