SAN FRANCISCO—Three major U.S. cities—Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans—are being infused with the “Joy of Life” as Commune Hotels & Resorts has taken over the management of two new properties under its Joie de Vivre Hotels brand—The Talbott Hotel in Chicago and The Liaison Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.,—and prepares for the conversion of the former Rault Center in New Orleans into a 184-room boutique hotel, set to open next fall and join the rapidly-expanding, native California brand.
“Creating a presence in these exciting and diverse cities has been a goal of ours,” said Niki Leondakis, chief executive officer, Commune Hotels & Resorts. “Chicago, Washington, DC and New Orleans are cities that embody the vibrancy of Joie de Vivre Hotels, are popular with our loyal customers, and are perfectly aligned with our expansion plans for the JdV brand.”
Chicago
The 16-story, 149-room Talbott Hotel, located in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood at 20 E. Delaware Place, is owned and being repositioned by Wanxiang America Real Estate Group, Geolo Capital, and Sterling Bay. The Talbott Hotel is the latest addition to Commune’s growing collection of Chicago properties, which currently includes the Chicago Athletic Association, Thompson Chicago, and Hotel Lincoln, a Joie de Vivre Hotel. Plans for the hotel include a six-month renovation beginning in Spring 2016. Chicago-based real estate investment and development company Sterling Bay will be leading the multi-million dollar project, which will encompass all of the property’s guestrooms and suites, as well as public spaces. Additionally, a new retail concept and café bar with outdoor seating will be introduced.
Washington, D.C.
Located at 415 New Jersey Ave NW, between Capitol Hill and Union Station, The Liaison Capitol Hill is Commune’s first Joie de Vivre Hotels property in the nation’s capital and largest in the brand’s portfolio, with 343 rooms. Close to all the historic landmarks and attractions D.C. has to offer, the property is the go-to spot for both leisure and business travelers. Owned by LaSalle Hotel Properties, the hotel boasts the city’s largest rooftop pool and lounge and is home to Art and Soul, the acclaimed restaurant of two-time James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Art Smith, whose locally sourced menu of Southern-style dishes includes made-to-share seafood gumbo and signature cocktails.
Striking a balance between sleek and homey, the property’s guestrooms feature custom-designed beds and modern furnishings. Additional in-room amenities include a business workspace, iPod docking station, and flat-screen TVs. Citrus Sandalwood custom-scented bath amenities by Jonathan Adler will be introduced at the hotel, a new Joie de Vivre Hotels brand standard. The hotel’s 17,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and event space includes seven newly-renovated rooms ideal for intimate gatherings and large-scale events of up to 500 guests. Rounding out the hotel’s offerings are complimentary bicycles, a 24-hour gym and six-choice pillow menu.
New Orleans
The 16-story Joie de Vivre hotel, owned by Connecticut-based Slumber Corners, is conveniently located in the Central Business District at 1111 Gravier Street near New Orleans’ French Quarter. Originally an office building, San Francisco-based interior design firm Paletteur, will renew the property with a mid-century modern design and hints of New Orleans’ heritage in the finishes and details. Recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, the property will be within walking distance of many of the city’s famed districts and will attract a mix of business and leisure travelers.
Highlights of the hotel will include a ground-floor signature restaurant and a grand staircase, which will connect the lobby to a second-floor mezzanine lounge and meeting rooms, and a 3,200-square-foot vibrant rooftop bar featuring spectacular views of downtown, the French Quarter, and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
