Joined by Mayor Shirley Franklin as prominent members of the local community and media, Paul Breslin, Managing Director of the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, announced plans to add an additional 33,000 sq. ft. conference center to its current 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space.

Joined by Mayor Shirley Franklin as well as prominent members of the local community and media, Paul Breslin, Managing Director of the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, announced plans to add an additional 33,000 sq. ft. conference center to its current 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space.

This brings the total upgrade expenditures to $42.5 million, since the current owners purchased the property in 1999. Beginning in August, the planned expansion calls for a $6.4 million, 33,000 sq. ft. conference center, which will connect the existing north and south towers. Once completed, the hotel will offer a combined 83,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space and 760 guest rooms and suites, making it the fifth largest hotel in Atlanta.

The new facility will offer a 15,000 sq. ft. ballroom, 8,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space as well as a 6,000 sq. ft. conference area with four break-out rooms ranging in size from 1,134 sq. ft to 1,638 sq. ft. The space will allow the hotel to accommodate 800 guests banquet style. In addition, with the new space the hotel can accommodate unique programs such a product launches as well as large association and corporate groups, including sales and pharmaceutical meetings.

The conference center will also offer break-out space for intimate board meetings, training seminars and company retreats. The facility also boasts street level access, a great plus for planners who need to transport vehicles or large equipment into the new ballroom.

“We are very excited that our financing is in place and we are ready to move ahead with a project that is not only important to our hotel, but also fundamental to supporting Atlanta’s tourism and convention economy as well as the vitality of the downtown area,” said Paul Breslin. “In these tough economic times, it is more important than ever to ensure that we have a product that will satisfy the needs of today's group business."   
   
The Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, owned by Amerimar Enterprises, Inc. and Angelo, Gordon & Co. and franchised under Starwood’s Sheraton brand, is located in the heart of lively downtown Atlanta, two blocks from Peachtree Street. Featuring an eclectic mix of classic American designs and styles, the hotel redefines accommodations for the next century. Upon completion of the expansion, the hotel will offer 760 guest rooms and suites and a total of 83,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event space.

Beautiful ballrooms and break-out rooms flexibly accommodate a variety of events, supported by complete technical and A/V capabilities. In addition, guests can take advantage of an indoor/outdoor swimming pool and garden area; poolside bar; 24-hour, state-of-the-art fitness center and three restaurants including Fandangles, which features eight Georgia themed signature martinis and innovative American cuisine.

Sheraton, the largest brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
(NYSE: HOT) has more than 375 hotels in 67 countries. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 740 properties in more than 80 countries and 105,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.                              

PR Contact: Kristen Dinklage (407) 788-7070
SAH-450