Group items tagged

WHITESTONE CAPITAL, A subsidiary of Whitestone Cos., acquired the 189-key Westin Great Southern Hotel in Columbus, Ohio, in an all-cash deal-its 14th purchase in 24 months and first in downtown Columbus. The company selected ZMC Hotels to manage the property. Whitestone Cos. is led by CEO Jay Batra. "While we've acquired many assets nationwide, this one is especially meaningful as it's in our hometown," Batra said. "We're excited to add this historic property to our portfolio." The Westin Great Southern Hotel, built in 1896, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally the Great Southern Fireproof Building and Opera House, it has hosted figures including Presidents William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. "When you step into the two-story marble lobby, you feel a century of history around you," said Batra. "You see the craftsmanship that built it. They don't make them like this anymore."

WHITESTONE COS. RECENTLY acquired the Homewood Suites by Hilton Minneapolis-Mall of America, a 144-room extended-stay hotel near Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. This is Whitestone's first investment in Minnesota and fourth Homewood Suites purchase in 18 months. Regal Hospitality, a subsidiary of Whitestone Cos., will manage the property's operations, the company said in a statement. Whitestone and Regal are led by CEO Jay Batra. "We are excited to welcome the Homewood Suites by Hilton Minneapolis-Mall of America to our portfolio," Batra said. "The property's strategic location, combined with the quality of the Hilton brand, makes it an attractive option for both business and leisure travelers and enhances the value for our investors."