Page 29 - 2019 Mid Year Newsletter
P. 29
Prague Marriott
PricewaterhouseCoopers, a leading global Hill is providing construction management services
financial advisory firm, is unequivocal in for Aventicum Capital Management’s renovation and
its most recent outlook for the European expansion of the Prague Marriott Hotel. As recently
hospitality market: “European cities saw announced, Hill also opened a new office in the same
unprecedented hotel performance in 2017. building.
Almost all of the cities in our latest forecast The renovation project will be delivered in phases, with
are expected to see further growth through much of the hotel remaining in operation throughout
2019.” Their report on continental hospitality construction. Hill Vice President & Managing Director,
trends adds cities such as Prague, Milan, Western Europe, Alex Ramos explains, “The Marriott
Paris, Geneva, Rome, and Berlin among their building occupies an entire block, with retail shops
strongest performers, with overall growth and business offices in addition to the hotel.” The
expected to average about 4% in the coming project will utilize current vacant space in the building
year. to create more than 100 additional hotel rooms to
Not coincidentally, Hill International is also meet demand, as well as upgrade front of house areas,
leveraging its own hospitality expertise to including the main lobby, reception, and restaurant
assist our hospitality clients as they expand and bar, as well as adding new lift cores.
and upgrade their European lodgings and “As a result of the renovation and increased room
destinations. In Prague, Athens, and the capacity, there has been a domino effect where
coast of Spain, Hill is helping to deliver upgrades are also needed to back of house areas, such
several landmark hotel and resort projects. as the kitchen, executive offices, and administrative
Each project, in its own way, is iconic and offices which is a common implied requirement in
reflective of larger trends in tourism and these types of interventions,” said Ramos.
guest amenities. Utilizing best management practices developed during
Hill is also taking advantage of the personal decades of providing construction management
expertise of Hospitality Director Ivan Calvino services to hospitality clients throughout Europe
Santamaria. Highlights of Mr. Calvino’s and the world, Hill scheduled and phased all work
hospitality experience include the Ritz Madrid to occur while the hotel remains in operation. “An
in Spain, St. Regis Astana in Kazakhstan, important driver is to limit disruption to the hotel
and the Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona, and the occupied offices. This is where having a good
Spain. Mr. Calvino is involved in the early delivery team becomes very important; with expert
and, arguably, most critical phase of Hill’s communication and planning, we believe we are able
European hospitality projects, from inception to find the right balance of minimal disruption while
to breaking ground, as well as regular follow- still getting the work done,” said Mr. Ramos.
ups throughout the project life-cycle. Concluded Mr. Ramos, “This is a landmark project for a
“Luxury hospitality projects require a specific blue chip, international client in a new market for Hill.
mindset and approach,” says Mr. Calvino. In many ways, the project is the perfect opportunity to
“The client’s vision for the project must be showcase our capabilities and skills.”
realized in detail, local stakeholder concerns
must be addressed, and the guest experience
has to be foremost in mind at all times. This
can make these projects some of the most
challenging undertakings, but it can also
make them some of the most rewarding.”
Hill International Newsletter 2019 | Page 26
