Makar bought the hotel early in 2007 for $160 million and quickly upgraded and reopened the property's twin 28,500-square-foot California and Pacific ballrooms. It then set out to finish the rest of the $60 million makeover of the hotel, which is at 777 Convention Way.
Paul Makarechian, president and CEO of Makar, describes the project as "not only about renovating this landmark property but also investing in the future of Anaheim as a key destination in the region." The city is one of the region's top tourist destinations.
The Hilton now has a new lobby that was designed by the San Francisco-based Puccini Group, and all 1,572 rooms have been completely redesigned. The renovated hotel now features 93 suites, including 44 newly created studio suites that are targeted toward business travelers with oversized living/sleeping areas and junior conference tables. The upgraded health club at the hotel is a 25,000-square-foot, full-service fitness and wellness facility; the hotel's 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space was completely redone in late 2007.
The 14-story Hilton Anaheim, which was built in 1984, was renovated previously in 1996 and 1997. Makar's investment in the upgrades reflects what hotel industry analysts describe as investors' continued interest in Anaheim because of the city's strong flow of leisure and business travelers to places like Disneyland and the city's convention center.
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