"The demand is there so we are proceeding right ahead with this project," Richard Kielar, a Tishman marketer, tells GlobeSt.com.

The expansion and enhancement project is scheduled for a fall completion.

Tishman's expansion plans come as nearby Gaylord Palms, the 1,406-room resort owned by Nashville, TN-based Gaylord Entertainment Corp., plans a Feb. 2 grand opening on its $450 million hotel and convention center at Lake Buena Vista, FL. Gaylord Palms will be offering 400,000 sf of total meeting space versus the Swan-Hotel's expanded 329,000 sf, up from 250,000 sf.

But the Swan-Dolphin package will top Gaylord Palms in total exhibition and meeting space when its expanded 111,000-sf exhibit hall area is completed. The existing 61,000-sf Atlantic Hall will be complemented by a new 50,000-sf Pacific Hall. Both halls will accommodate a total 680 booths (8 x 10).

The 3,800-sf Osprey Ballroom, with 17-foot ceilings and two 3,000-sf outdoor garden terraces, was completed in October 2001. Two of the 17 restaurants and lounges at the Swan-Dolphin will be refurbished. Tubbi's and Coral Café at the Dolphin will be redesigned.

Tishman and Metropolitan finished the original construction of the 758-room Swan Hotel in December 1989 at a cost of $115 million or $151,715 per room. They opened the 1,509-room Dolphin in January 1990 at a cost of $260 million or $172,300 per room. Combined, the hotels have 191 suites and six presidential suites.

Current nightly room rates for double beds during the peak season at the Swan-Dolphin run from $350 for a standard window view to $490 for club level/Royal Beach Club view.

Tishman Hotel & Realty Corp. is an affiliate of Tishman Realty & Construction Co. Inc., which built the hotels and will be doing the expansions. The hotels are managed by Westin and Sheraton, members of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide portfolio.