The JBG Companies have announced that a $100 million renovation and repositioning of the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel is now underway.The 1,334-room property, owned by The JBG Companies and CIM Group, is receiving and entire new look and feel with a comprehensive renovation that includes, all guestrooms and suites, new fitness center, restaurant and lounge, updated public areas and meeting space including a state-of-the-art ballroom and a refurbishment of the hotel’s park grounds.

“We are very excited about this comprehensive repositioning of the hotel,” says General Manager Edward Rudzinski. “From the room renovations, the new meeting space, the new fitness center and all the other upgrades, guests will notice the difference the moment they enter the hotel. We are dedicating ourselves to providing an unrivalled experience for our guests, that they have come expect and rely on.”

Ken Finkelstein, Managing Partner of JBG said: “The Wardman Park is a truly distinctive hotel. The property’s history, quality, location and amenities make it unique in the marketplace. This renovation will help to ensure that the hotel maintains its position as Washington’s premiere destination for group, business and leisure travelers.”

As part of the renovation, all 1,334 guestrooms will receive a new look with innovative technology, clean and crisp forms, straight lines and uncluttered surfaces. Contemporary residential design and warm colors look and feel like home. All guest rooms feature Marriott’s Revive® bedding with plusher mattresses, softer linens and more pillows. Replacing the traditional hotel bedspread is a down comforter nestled inside sheeted duvets, which will be freshly laundered for each new guest. The stylized bedding features 300-thread-count, cotton-rich, white top and fitted bottom sheets and is accented with euro shams, a decorative bed scarf and bolster.

All rooms come equipped with a 32-inch high-definition LG® plasma screen television and Marriott’s newly premiered plug-in panel (www.plugintomarriott.com) that provides guests with multi-tasking abilities through versatile multimedia usage. For example, the screen can be split so guests can watch TV while checking e-mail or researching on the Internet from their own laptop. Or, they can relieve stress by playing video games while listening to their iPod or MP3 players at the same time. Guests can even plug-in their digital cameras and personal DVD players to preview photos. Other in-room amenities include Bath & Body Works Energizing Aromatherapy products, ergonomic desk and chairs, coffee maker, iron with ironing board, and HDTV offering 64 television channels.

An entirely new Ballroom, to be known as the Thurgood Marshall Ballroom, is currently under construction and will replace the existing Cotillion Ballroom, which will be razed. The Marshall Ballroom will offer the elegant décor required by high-end social business as well as the flexibility demanded by group and corporate business.

Stone’s Throw, a new, signature restaurant featuring an open kitchen, private dining rooms and an interactive Chef’s Table, will be added as part of the renovation. Guests will also have the option of enjoying the hotel’s alluring Lobby Lounge, a perfect spot to mingle and enjoy a cocktail. Guests on the go can also grab a bite at the Starbucks, serving coffee drinks, pastries, sandwiches and salads from early morning into the evening hours.

The new design for the park grounds at the Marriott Wardman Park, scheduled to be completed Summer 2007, is the vision of the world renowned landscape architecture firm, Sasaki. Whether designing the US Capitol Visitor Center, or planning for the 2008 Beijing Olympic games, Sasaki is well known for producing handsome, environmentally sound, vital landscapes that enrich the lives of its users.

Built in 1918 and nestled on 16 beautifully landscaped acres at Woodley Road and Connecticut Avenue in Northwest Washington, DC, the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel is one of the city’s most prominent and historic hotels. With over 1,300 guest rooms, it is within walking distance of the National Zoo and close to the downtown central business district, tourist attractions and National Airport. It is comprised of the 202-room Wardman Tower, the 933-room Center Tower and the 199-room Park Tower. It includes more than 173,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.
——-