Located near such vital destinations as the National Institutesof Health and the US Department of Homeland Security, Hyatt RegencyBethesda carries the address of One Bethesda Center and boasts acoveted spot atop a Metro station. The 12-story hotel is part ofthe greater Bethesda Metro Complex, which consists of a 350,000-sfoffice facility, a 19,000-sf food court and a parking facilitycapable of accommodating as many as 1,330 vehicles.

The hotel itself, which underwent a $5.3-million renovation in2002, features a 7,300-sf ballroom and 19 meeting rooms. Meridianpurchased the hotel and office building together as a package for$122 million back in 1999.

Competition to provide the financing for the hotel purchase wassteep. Sonnenblick-Goldman president Steve Kohn says in a statementthat "the Bethesda Hyatt's long established presence in the heartof Bethesda, the strong Hyatt brand and top quality sponsorshipcreated great interest within the financial community." The timingof Meridian and Rockwood's purchase is just right, it seems, as thehospitality industry attempts a rebound and makes the long reachfor its pre-2001 numbers.