WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bethesda, Md.-based LaSalle Hotel Properties has acquired four full-service hotels with 502 guestrooms in downtown Washington, D.C. LaSalle plans to spend $30 million to redevelop the properties in conjunction with Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, which LaSalle has retained to manage and operate the four properties.
The four hotels have operated as the 99-room Canterbury Hotel, located at 1733 N St.; the 82-room Clarion Hampshire House Hotel at 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW; the 137-room Quality Hotel and Suites Downtown, located at 1315 16th St. NW; and the 184-room Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel and Suites at 1430 Rhode Island Ave. NW. The hotels were originally built as apartment buildings. Upon completion of the redevelopment program, LaSalle plans to rename each property and the Kimpton Group will operate each as independent, non-branded boutique hotels.
According to Smith Travel Research, hotel occupancy for Washington, D.C., increased to 73.3% in 2000 from 71% in 1999. Average daily rates rose 5.8% to $116.24 in 2000, resulting in a 9.3% increase in revenue per available room.