THE WOODLANDS (HOUSTON), TEXAS - Benchmark, a global hospitality company, is expanding its presence in the Pacific Northwest and will operate the newly announced Avenue Bellevue InterContinental Hotel. Part of a new billion-dollar condo, hotel and retail development in downtown Bellevue, Washington, the spectacular new property will be InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ first venture in the Pacific Northwest. With construction set to start in mid-2019, the dramatic and elegant two-tower development will feature 332 luxury residences and 85,000 sq. feet of high-end retail, food and nightlife – including a new restaurant from a three-Michelin-star chef. Avenue Bellevue (www.liveatavenue.com) will also feature the 252-guest room InterContinental Hotel, which will boast a full-service spa and fitness center, meeting space and other luxury amenities.
“We are tremendously proud to be part of this visionary project and to welcome InterContinental Hotels into the Benchmark management portfolio,” says Alex Cabanas, Benchmark’s CEO. “It is thrilling to be part of this thriving global city that is home to some of the world’s most innovative technology companies and equally welcoming to new startups and smaller businesses.”
Located just east of Seattle on the shores of Lake Washington, Bellevue is noted for its world-class shopping and dining, excellent transportation system, skilled workforce and high quality of life. Easily reached via I-405N and I-90, Bellevue is just 27 minutes from Seattle/Tacoma International Airport and 17 minutes from downtown Seattle.
The developer of this ambitious project is Fortress Development, a commercial real estate developer and privately held investment company based in Bellevue. Its CEO and Principal, Andy Lakha, is a longtime resident of the city with a strong commitment to the community and great admiration for InterContinental’s pioneering efforts in developing the luxury market in destinations on six continents. "Growing up in Pakistan, my entire world view of luxury was shaped by the InterContinental Hotel in Karachi, which at the time was the country's only five-star hotel,”Mr. Lakha says. “I am delighted to be able to introduce this revered luxury brand to the Pacific Northwest for the first time." The world's largest luxury hotel brand, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts includes 200 properties globally with 63 new hotels soon to open.
Designed in partnership with Seattle-based Weber Thompson and HBA, the largest hospitality design firm in the world, Avenue Bellevue residents will have access to the InterContinental Hotel amenities, including room service, housekeeping service, spa and fitness center, concierge assistance and valet parking.
Benhmark appoints David Kohlasch General Manager For The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark
Benhmark has also named David Kohlasch general manager for The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark. The Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property, located in Monticello, New York, within the scenic Catskill Mountains, will open in March on 1,600 wooded acres, the site of the Resorts World Catskills entertainment complex. Greg Champion, Benchmark’s president and COO, made the announcement.
Benhmark has also named David Kohlasch general manager for The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark. The Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property, located in Monticello, New York, within the scenic Catskill Mountains, will open in March on 1,600 wooded acres, the site of the Resorts World Catskills entertainment complex. Greg Champion, Benchmark’s president and COO, made the announcement.
“I am very pleased to welcome David back to Benchmark and to The Kartrite,” said Mr. Champion. “He brings important executive leadership skills to our resort, and vast knowledge in the destination travel experience. He is an ideal leader of our executive team at the resort.”
David Kohlasch comes to his new position with 35 years of senior hotel executive experience. He was previously general manager of the Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta in St. Louis. Before this he served as general manager of the Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta, where he led the repositioning of this classic hotel.
Mr. Kohlasch earlier served as general manager for Lansdowne Resort of Leesburg, Virginia, which Benchmark opened and operated for many years.
