OAK BROOK, Ill.—Inland American Lodging Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Inland American Real Estate Trust, announced that it has acquired the 21-story, 285-room Loews New Orleans for a purchase price of $74.5 million, or approximately $261,000 per key.
Loews Hotels and Resorts will continue to manage the hotel. The Loews New Orleans represents the ninth hotel acquired by Inland American this year and the first Loews-managed hotel in its portfolio.
“We are very pleased to be adding this luxury hotel to our portfolio,” said Marcel Verbaas, president and CEO of Inland American Lodging Advisor (IALA). “With its premier location near all of New Orleans’ demand drivers, coupled with its superior amenities, the Loews New Orleans is well-positioned to continue its excellent performance in the market. We look forward to working with Loews to further enhance the asset and its competitive position and profitability.”
The Loews is located in downtown New Orleans near the Central Business District, the French Quarter, the Warehouse/Arts District and the recently expanded New Orleans Morial Convention Center. The hotel was converted from an office tower and opened in 2004, offering 285 guestrooms, 17,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a fitness center, full-service spa with a lap pool, and a business center. The first floor of the hotel also features the popular Swizzle Stick Bar and Café Adelaide, both affiliated with members of The Brennan Family, New Orleans culinary legends and owners of Commander’s Palace.
“New Orleans has been able to regain its position as one of the top lodging markets in the country over the past few years and as such has been a market we had identified as an acquisition target for some time,” added Philip A. Wade, IALA’s senior vice president of investments. “We are thrilled that we have been able to acquire one of the premier hotels in the market.”
