Calamos Real Estate Announces Groundbreaking for CityGate Centre Grand

NAPERVILLE, Ill., April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Calamos Real Estate has broken ground on CityGate Centre Grand, a luxury boutique hotel, announced Daniel J. Slack, President of Calamos Real Estate, the Chicago-based commercial real estate development firm. The hotel will be located in CityGate Centre, a dynamic mixed-use development at the interchange of I-88 and Route 59 in Naperville.

Slated to officially open in the summer of 2008, the 144-room CityGate Centre Grand will be an elegant destination and unique to the Naperville area. With interiors and exteriors designed by the award-winning architectural firm of Lohan Anderson, this full-service hotel will offer 20 king suites, 88 king rooms, and 36 double queen rooms. Guests will enjoy classic fine dining with European flair in the hotel's 90-seat restaurant. A sophisticated lobby lounge, adjacent full-service spa and fitness center, 500-person banquet facility, board room and meeting facilities are among the many amenities available. The hotel is currently registered with the United States Green Building Council and is anticipating LEED(R) certification.

CityGate Centre Grand will be managed by Portfolio Hotels and Resorts, and will be a member of the prestigious Preferred Hotels(R) & Resorts brand, a global collection of independently owned luxury hotels and resorts, delivering international sales, marketing, and reservation services. The property has met Preferred Hotels & Resorts membership criteria, enabling the project to benefit from its elite status from the early days of development.

"CityGate Centre Grand continues the vision of CityGate Centre as an urban oasis offering the best of city life in the suburbs," said Slack. "Guests can relax and play in upscale style-shopping at CityGate's premier retailers, unwinding at the spa, taking in a show at the 600-seat performing arts center, or enjoying a fine dining experience. CityGate Centre is all about exceeding one's expectations; and this boutique hotel is no exception," he said. Slack also noted that the hotel will be well equipped to meet the needs of discerning executive travelers.

Known for its technologically innovative designs and artistic expressions that stand the test of time, Lohan Anderson has created a classic, contemporary design for the hotel. The architecture reflects the stunning and modern elegance of CityGate Centre I, CityGate Centre's first state-of-the-art Class A office building, also designed by Lohan Anderson.

CityGate Centre Grand's exquisitely appointed interior is luxurious, blending a warm color palette, rich materials and fabric. "Lohan Anderson has created an ambiance of relaxed sophistication, reflecting the rich and diverse experiences the hotel offers. The lobby lounge will be a welcoming place to enjoy coffee and a light bite in the morning, or to catch up on reading during day. In the evening, it's a perfect place to have a cocktail before going to dinner or a show," said Slack.

To qualify as a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts network, the hotel fulfilled Preferred's award-winning Standards of Excellence(R), an exhaustive quality assurance program. "We're delighted that CityGate Centre Grand is a member of the Preferred network. Preferred Hotels & Resorts' reputation is synonymous with the highest quality and extraordinary service," said Helmut Horn, President of Portfolio Hotels and Resorts, the operator of the hotel.

Portfolio Hotels and Resorts manages signature destination resorts and significant urban hotels. Portfolio's range of services also includes asset management and consultation services for owners and investors.

Located 30 miles west of downtown Chicago and within a 30-minute drive from O'Hare International, Midway, DuPage and Aurora airports, CityGate Centre is being developed by Calamos Real Estate LLC. Calamos Real Estate LLC is a Chicago-based, vertically integrated national development firm which offers development, property management and facility management services. Lohan Anderson is responsible for CityGate Centre's day-to-day architecture, planning and interior design efforts.

The Shops at CityGate Centre are marketed by Becker Realty. CityGate Centre I (Class A office space) is marketed by Cushman & Wakefield.

Source: Calamos Real Estate LLC

CONTACT: Karen Osher of Calamos Real Estate,