Adam's Mark

. The chain was founded in the early 1970s by Fred Kummer and the chain is currently owned by HBE, Inc., which was also founded by Kummer. While once numbering nearly 30 large hotels, because of financial difficulties and changing corporate strategies, the chain sold off most of its properties.

History

The chain suffered greatly from a racial discrimination suit brought against them by the NAACP in 1999. The NAACP filed the suit on behalf of guests who attended the Black College Reunion in Florida in 1999. It alleged that Adam's Mark required guests to wear identification wristbands and were required to pay in advance. The suit, and subsequent 17-month boycott of the chain called by the NAACP, was settled out of court for $2 million (US). The company's relationship with African-American organizations has since improved, and in 2006, Adam's Mark had the top score of any hotel company on the NAACP's annual report card.

In 2003, the Memphis Adam's Mark was sold to Dallas-based Crow Holdings, manager of the real estate holdings of the Trammell Crow family. The hotel has undergone a US $12 million renovation and has reopened as a Hilton as of 2004.

The Adam's Mark in Kansas City, Missouri became a Clarion Hotel in 2004, but was converted to Sheraton in 2007. The hotel is near the Truman Sports Complex, which houses both the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

In November 2004, the Philadelphia Adam's Mark (originally opened in 1965 as a Holiday Inn) was sold to the Target Corporation, forcing dozens out of work and closing the 23-story building down for good to make way for a new Target store building. Most demolition has finished, with all buildings and convention areas other than the main tower destroyed, and the main tower gutted as of May 7, 2006. On July 11, 2006, an unexpected collapse on the north side of the main tower trapped a construction worker helping to tear the building down.

In 2005, the 966 room Adam's Mark in Downtown Jacksonville, Florida was bought by Chartres Hospitality who converted the hotel to the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront after a multi-million dollar renovation.

In July 2006, the Adam's Mark in Dallas completed a $30 million renovation and opened the Tower Royale, a luxury 500 room hotel within a hotel. The Dallas hotel is home to many conventions such as, Project A-Kon.

The Adam's Mark in Charlotte was sold to the Chetrit Group and reopened as the Blake, a boutique hotel.

As of March, 2008, the chain has dwindled to just two properties — Indianapolis and Buffalo, NY. The Denver and Dallas properties were reflagged as Sheraton Hotels, and the St. Louis hotel become a Hyatt Regencyhotel. Chartres Lodging group is spending at least $63m in renovations at the property.

ee also

Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

External links

* [http://www.adamsmark.com/ Adam's Mark Hotels & Resorts]
* [http://www.claws-and-paws.com/pictures/furry/adamsmark Adam's Mark Philadelphia Deconstruction] - Pictures taken of the Philadelphia Adam's Mark in the process of being torn down.
* [http://cbs3.com/video/?id=[e-mail] Injury Video] - Local CBS video footage of the aftermath of the Philadelphia Adam's Mark accident, and the state of the deconstruction as of July 11, 2006.
* http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/2/8/114059/4375/hotels/Adam_s_Mark_Hotels_in_Denver_and_Dallas_to_Get_Sheraton_Makeover
* http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/02/04/daily59.html