HRI Properties Enters Philadelphia Redeveloping The Iconic Liberty Title Building To Become Aloft Hotel

Future Aloft Philadelphia Downtown names General Manager and Director of Sales

HRI Properties, LLC (HRI) is currently redeveloping the iconic Liberty Title Building in Philadelphia, in partnership with Realen Properties, into a 179-key Aloft hotel. Located one block from historic Philadelphia City Hall Square, the hotel is adjacent to and has a direct connection to the Pennsylvania Convention Center Philadelphia. The new hotel will open Summer 2017.

Originally constructed in 1925 as the headquarters for the Liberty Title and Trust Company, many historic features will remain in the design of the hotel, primarily in the former bank lobby, which will become the new hotel lobby and signature WXYZ bar. The converted building will also offer guests an outdoor rooftop bar and patio, 990 sq. ft. of meeting space and modern loft-inspired guest rooms.

"We are very excited that Aloft Philadelphia Downtown will be HRI’s first property in the Philadelphia market. Our company prides itself on transforming architecturally significant buildings in urban areas and elevating them into vibrant new properties. We certainly feel we have done that with the Liberty Title Building and are eager for visitors to downtown Philadelphia to engage with the Aloft brand,” said Tom Leonhard, President and CEO of HRI.

Evan Glenn Evans has been appointed as the hotel’s General Manager, having most recently served as General Manager of the One Liberty Observation Deck, a major new attraction to Philadelphia. He was the opening General Manager for Le Méridien Philadelphia, recruiting and hiring the hotel’s entire initial staff, and holds additional hotel brand experience with Westin and Hyatt. As General Manager, Evans will be instrumental in opening the new hotel and will be in charge of directing all aspects of hotel operations. Additionally, Anastasia Owens has been hired as the hotel’s Director of Sales. Owens has held positions of increasing responsibility with groups such as OTO Development and CSM Corporation, serving in leadership roles for hotels across the country. She will oversee all sales efforts for the hotel, including training, developing and coaching sales teams to understand and exceed revenue, revPAR and sales productivity goals. 

“We are thrilled to have recruited such terrific talent for two of our hotel’s top management positions. Their strong hospitality background coupled with their knowledge of the Philadelphia area will help guests have an authentic Philadelphia experience throughout their stay. We could not be happier that they joined our team,” said Todd Iacono, Vice President of Operations for HRI Lodging, LLC, a subsidiary of HRI, which will manage the new property.

The Aloft Philadelphia Downtown offers a welcomed alternative to the traditional business hotel. Guest rooms, meeting rooms, and public spaces are all equipped with fast & free Wi-Fi, and the sleek and stylish meeting space features state-of-the art audio visual equipment and full catering options. The hotel’s WXYZ bar serves as a hot spot where guests can unwind over signature cocktails, live music, and a full menu of tasty bites. The bar will offer free access to local, live events featuring emerging artists as part of Aloft's signature Live at Aloft Hotel events that take place around the world. Inspired by the vibrant public mural program in Philadelphia, the hotel will also feature large-scale art installations and a rotating art wall featuring local artists.

Philadelphia To Welcome Plethora Of New Tourism Developments In 2017 #PhiladelphiaWorldHeritageCity

With myriad new openings planned to arrive into the city in 2017, there’s no time like the present to book a trip to Philadelphia, the birthplace of America.

Visitors in 2017 will be able to enjoy a number of new experiences scheduled to open in Philadelphia including a day trip of the city on the new Total Philly Tour, a cultural visit to the new Museum of the American Revolution and an immersive and educational experience with the latest Virtual Reality demonstration at the Franklin Institution.

Launch of Total Philly Tour

Launching in 2017, the ‘Total Philly Tour’ will take visitors through the city’s hotspots and hidden gems. Participants can relish in tasting the delicious food at Jewish delis and the famous Italian Market – the oldest and largest everyday open-air market in America – before paying homage to the unmissable sights within the historic district. This tour also includes a glimpse of public art and stunning mosaics in the Bella Vista neighbourhood and Magic Gardens, adding intricate beauty to any traveller’s photo collection. To top it all off, the tour comes to a close with a local beer expert, who will guide visitors through the booming local bar and pub scene, showcasing the city’s regional breweries and microbrews. The tour starts from outside New Image Art & Framing (601 South 9th Street) at 10am, finishing at 7pm. Strictly over 21s.

Museum of the American Revolution to Open in April

Firmly marking 2017 as a year to celebrate Philadelphia’s colourful past, the state-of-the-art Museum of the American Revolution will open its doors to the public in April next year. Taking visitors on a journey through the remarkable story of America’s founding, the stunning building will feature four floors of permanent and temporary exhibition galleries. Aptly located in the historic heart of the city, the museum is just two blocks from Independence Hall and across the street from Carpenter’s Hall, where the Constitutional Congress first met. Original artefacts, immersive settings and dynamic theatres will instil visitors of all ages with a profound understanding of, and interest in, the outbreak of conflict and ensuing new nation.

Liberty Title and Trust Building to Become Aloft Hotel by Starwood

As the only building on the block of Broad Street and Arch Street to survive the expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Centre, the 1929 Liberty Title and Trust Building is a stalwart of historic architecture in Philadelphia. After years of being vacant, the historically-certified 21-story complex is being renovated into a 179-room Aloft by Starwood hotel – the second from the brand to open in the city. With its superb access to the city’s ancient and modern landmarks, the hotel will be a fantastic addition to the Philadelphia accommodation scene when it opens in 2017.

New Foodie Hotspots

Why not toast the start of 2017 in one of several new restaurants in Philadelphia. At the iconic Ritz-Carlton Hotel, where luxury and grand decor can be found in abundance, savour Latin-American cuisine in the stunning, newly-decorated hotel lobby restaurant. ‘Aqimero’ is bound to make any occasion special, whether diners have a reservation to stay the night or not.

For a more vintage dining experience, Chef Michael Schulson has opened ‘Harp & Crown,’ a trendy new foodie hotspot close to Dilworth Park and Philadelphia’s City Hall. Combining charm and luxury with modern sensibility and functionality, the restaurant showcases seasonal ingredients in a menu of global cuisines, as well as a comprehensive cocktail menu at the 32-seat bar. What is more, the space has been transformed to include a two-lane bowling alley in the basement, where revellers can enjoy drinks, pizza and charcuterie between strikes.

Franklin Institute Launches Virtual Reality Experience

As one of America’s oldest and most beloved museums, the Franklin Institute has been delighting visitors old and young since it was founded in 1824. Despite its age, this science museum on North 21st Street has long been paving the way for innovative displays of information and the latest new Virtual Reality initiative is no exception. Open to visitors in 2017, the VR demonstration spaces will allow visitors to try out an HTC Vice or Oculus Rift and be transported through outer space, encounter a blue whale, explore the human body, tour the solar system and even take a peek inside a brain!