Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
| Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Address | 600 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 |
| Hotel chain | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts |
| Opening date | December 3, 1959 |
| Developer | Conrad Hilton |
| Architect | William B. Tabler |
| Owner | Kiran Patel[1] |
| Rooms | 712 |
| Restaurants | 1 |
| Floors | 25 |
| Total height | 333 feet (101 m) |
Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown (formerly the Hilton Pittsburgh) is a hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, with a prominent position in the Golden Triangle area adjacent to Point State Park, the Fort Pitt Museum and the Cultural District. Hilton announced plans for the skyscraper hotel on June 11, 1956 and ground was broken for it on September 20, 1957 with Conrad Hilton himself in attendance. It was opened for business with a special gala on December 3, 1959 again attended by Mr. Hilton as well as Governor Lawrence.[2]
For over 50 years the hotel, along with the Mellon Arena and the William Penn Hotel, was one of the key destinations for any distinguished visitor to the region. Among the significant events that the hotel hosted have been:
- May 6-7, 1960: Presidential candidate Lyndon B. Johnson stays at the hotel and gives a major speech with mayor Joseph Barr in the ballrooom, while on a two-day campaign tour of the region.
- November 4, 1960: President Dwight D. Eisenhower gives a major speech at the hotel.
- January 19, 1964: The Pro Football Hall of Fame meeting with Art Rooney, Pete Rozelle, Dick McCann, Gov. Lawrence, Justice White, George Halas and Vince Lombardi all visiting.[2]
- April 24, 1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson attends a campaign rally to over 2,000 in the hotel's ballroom and speaks at a League of Women Voters conference at the hotel.
- October 6-7, 1970: Vice President Spiro Agnew gives a speech at the hotel and stays the night, amid 200 protestors clashing with police, 37 being arrested and a girl burning an American flag.
- October 26, 1976: President Gerald Ford addresses the Economic Club Conference at the hotel.
- September 4-5, 1980: George Bush gives several campaign speeches and stays the night, completing his address to the "World Affairs Council".
- July 16-18 1981: The 58th annual International Brotherhood of Magicians Convention is held at the hotel.
- April 6, 1983: President Ronald Reagan delivers a major address at the "Conference of Dislocated Workers" in the ballroom.
- March 27, 1984: Vice President Walter Mondale speaks at the AFL-CIO state convention.
- August 5, 2002: President George W. Bush stays at the hotel as he meets with survivors of the Quecreek Mine Rescue, he also hosts a news conference as he signs an Anti-Abortion bill into law in the ballroom.
- June 22-28 2008: Airports Council International Annual Marketing Communications Conference.[3]
- 1961-2006: The annual host of the region's Dapper Dan Sports Awards Banquet.
In the last decade the hotel has had increasing competition and subsequently financial problems, including a troubled expansion plan that saw the construction workers walk off the job site.[3][4][5] In 2010, Shubh Hotels fired the hotel management company, Crescent Hotels & Resorts, after a legal battle.[3] Prism Hotels & Resorts replaced Crescent.[3] In September 2010, Hilton Hotels & Resorts announced that they were terminating their franchise agreement with Shubh Hotels Pittsburgh LLC. On November 23, 2010, the hotel officially became part of Wyndham Hotels' luxury Grand collection, taking the name Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown.[6] In 2011, it was announced that Starbucks Coffee, and Sbarro Italian Eatery are planning to open new food facilties inside the hotel in Mid 2012, including adding a new bar and lounge in Late 2012.
[edit] References
- ^ Belko, Mark. "Florida doctor Kiran Patel new owner of former Hilton". Hilton Pittsburgh. Pittsburhg Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b c Stouffer, Rick (September 2, 2010). "Hilton pulls its name from landmark Downtown hotel". Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
- ^ Barcousky, Len (July 28, 2010). "Exterior work on Hilton Pittsburgh slated to resume". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ^ Belko, Mark (September 2, 2010). "Hilton pulls its name from troubled Downtown hotel". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ^ Belser, Ann (November 24, 2010). "Downtown Hilton now a Wyndham Grand". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
[edit] External links
Media related to Hilton Pittsburgh at Wikimedia Commons
| Preceded by Frick Building |
Pittsburgh Skyscrapers by Height 333 feet (102 m) 23 floors |
Succeeded by Bell Telephone Building |
| Preceded by Regional Enterprise Tower |
Pittsburgh Skyscrapers by Year of Completion 1959 |
Succeeded by Four Gateway Center |
