Young developer has big plans for century-old crown jewel
DES MOINES, Iowa — Big renovations are planned for a 95-year-old building in downtown Des Moines.
For years the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines has lost much of its luster, but now a young hotel expert has big plans.
“The history and the legacy of this hotel is one that is unmatched. I think there may only be handful of hotels like this across the nation,” said Raj Patel, a 23-year-old with a big dream.
Patel’s family owns Hawkeye Hotels, an eastern Iowa company that just spent $4 million to buy the Hotel Fort Des Moines. He said he has grand plans for the grand hotel.
“I look forward to maintaining the historical significance of the Hotel Fort Des Moines and adding our modern touches to it,” Patel said.
Public spaces like the lobby retain many of the elegant features of the century-old hotel. He plans to expose the original two-story ceiling and the second-floor ballroom, which has hosted many presidential candidates.
“You know you think about Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney. Everyone has had their election night parties here,” Patel said.
Patel said all 230 rooms need updating and work is underway to gut every one of them.
Only the interior skeleton will remain, which includes the outdated presidential suite Clinton once described as one of the dreariest room she's ever stayed in.
For the first time in almost 100 years, the hotel will shut down in the next few months. When it reopens in 2017, the new owner said it will be a crown jewel for his company and for downtown Des Moines.
“The hotel Fort Des Moines will be one of the finest hotels in the city of Des Moines, if not the entire state of Iowa,” Patel said.
Patel is also working to partner with a major hotel company like Marriott to bring new guests to the Hotel Fort Des Moines. An announcement on who that might be should come in the next few months.
Reported by: kcci.com
For years the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines has lost much of its luster, but now a young hotel expert has big plans.
“The history and the legacy of this hotel is one that is unmatched. I think there may only be handful of hotels like this across the nation,” said Raj Patel, a 23-year-old with a big dream.
Patel’s family owns Hawkeye Hotels, an eastern Iowa company that just spent $4 million to buy the Hotel Fort Des Moines. He said he has grand plans for the grand hotel.
“I look forward to maintaining the historical significance of the Hotel Fort Des Moines and adding our modern touches to it,” Patel said.
Public spaces like the lobby retain many of the elegant features of the century-old hotel. He plans to expose the original two-story ceiling and the second-floor ballroom, which has hosted many presidential candidates.
“You know you think about Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney. Everyone has had their election night parties here,” Patel said.
Patel said all 230 rooms need updating and work is underway to gut every one of them.
Only the interior skeleton will remain, which includes the outdated presidential suite Clinton once described as one of the dreariest room she's ever stayed in.
For the first time in almost 100 years, the hotel will shut down in the next few months. When it reopens in 2017, the new owner said it will be a crown jewel for his company and for downtown Des Moines.
“The hotel Fort Des Moines will be one of the finest hotels in the city of Des Moines, if not the entire state of Iowa,” Patel said.
Patel is also working to partner with a major hotel company like Marriott to bring new guests to the Hotel Fort Des Moines. An announcement on who that might be should come in the next few months.
Reported by: kcci.com
