Hyatt Hotels Corporation announces that a Hyatt affiliate has purchased land in Omaha, Neb. for the construction of a Hyatt Place hotel, which it will own and manage. The hotel is expected to open in 2014. Slated to begin construction early in the second quarter of 2012, Hyatt Place Omaha Downtown/Old Market will have 159 rooms in a stand-alone nine-story building located on the northwest corner of Jackson Street and 12th Street in the Old Market district. The hotel, designed by the Chicago office of the DLR Group, will be situated amidst Omaha’s arts and entertainment center that features fine dining, shopping, corporate meeting facilities, and upscale nightlife. “We look forward to introducing the Hyatt brand to Nebraska and Omaha and particularly to establishing Hyatt Place in the city and state,” said Chris Ivy, senior vice president, real estate and development for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. “Hyatt Place Omaha Downtown/Old Market will be a valuable addition to the portfolio of urban Hyatt Place locations.” “We are thrilled to welcome Hyatt Place to downtown Omaha,” said Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle, “and we think it speaks volumes about the strength of our economy and the appeal of the Old Market area that Hyatt is making the investment to build this hotel. In addition to approximately 50 jobs that the hotel will create once it is opened, the hotel will also bring a great many other economic benefits to our community.” Hyatt Place Omaha Downtown/Old Market will be the first Hyatt hotel in Nebraska, and will join Hyatt’s Omaha-based Worldwide Reservations Center, which provides customer service and sales support for all international and domestic hotels. “It is a privilege to work with a world-class hotel flag new to the state of Nebraska,” said Jon Pesce, Vice President of World Group, a full-service commercial real estate firm providing brokerage and property management services, that represented Hyatt in the transaction. Pesce added, “The fact that Hyatt is willing to acquire the property and begin construction quickly is a testament to the strength of downtown Omaha.” Currently, there are more than 160 Hyatt Place hotels in operation in the United States, with more than 35 under development throughout the U.S., China, Costa Rica, India, the Netherlands, Panama, and Saudi Arabia. “We welcome this new entrant into the Omaha market and thank Hyatt for their commitment to our growing downtown. This new nine-story building will be a beautiful addition to the Old Market,” said David G. Brown, president and CEO, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. Launched in 2006, Hyatt Place brings to the upscale select-service hotel category the authentic hospitality for which Hyatt is known. Inspired by multitasking travellers’ 24/7 lifestyle, Hyatt Place combines stylish design and practical amenities with forward-thinking technology and purposeful service. Spacious guestrooms feature multiple areas to work and relax, and include the Cozy Corner, an eight-foot sectional sofa sleeper; plush Hyatt Grand Bed; and ergonomic work center. Every guestroom is also equipped with a state-of-the-art media center that allows electronic devices to plug directly into the 42-inch, high-definition television, giving guests instant access to the technological amenities they’re accustomed to accessing at home or in the office. Hyatt Place hotels also feature complimentary Wi-Fi access, a StayFit@Hyatt fitness center, a coffee and wine bar serving specialty coffees and premium wine and beer, and a Grab ’n Go case stocked with freshly made sandwiches and salads. The Guest Kitchen offers made-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner entrées around the clock, in addition to the a.m. Kitchen SkilletTM, a complimentary continental breakfast served daily. Specially trained Hosts are on hand to offer assistance with everything from directions to check-in to a freshly made meal.