Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) and Area Hotels, LLC Begin Groundbreaking on First Hilton Garden

By: Religion News

Hilton Garden Inn®, the award-winning mid-priced brand that is part of the Hilton Family of Hotels, the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC), the world’s largest African-American Pentecostal denomination with headquarters in Memphis, Tenn., and Area Hotels, LLC based in Mundelein, Ill., has announced the groundbreaking of the new Hilton Garden Inn® Memphis/Downtown. The ground-breaking event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 10:00 a.m. at the southwest corner of Second Street and Linden Avenue.

“We are excited to break ground in Memphis with our first Hilton Garden Inn location in the city,” said Adrian Kurre, senior vice president – brand management, Hilton Garden Inn. “Hilton Garden Inn, with our innovative offerings and warm customer service, is the ideal hotel product to bring into the growing and vibrant city of Memphis.”

The Church Of God In Christ has been planning to build a development in downtown Memphis for many years. “We have been preparing for this day for seven years,” said Bishop Charles E. Blake, presiding bishop of COGIC. “Our church is proud to make a major impact on Memphis. We not only support the Mid-South by bringing our annual convocation to the Bluff city, we are now aiding in the re-development of downtown Memphis.”

The Church Of God In Christ owns the land where the hotel groundbreaking will take place and according to COGIC General Board member, Bishop Nathaniel W. Wells, Jr., “The new Hilton Garden Inn Memphis/Downtown will transform our vision into reality by creating a centerpiece to our downtown site. The location is well suited for both local residents and visiting guests attending sports events, concerts and entertainment bookings at the FedEx Forum. The Hilton Garden Inn Memphis/Downtown also will be the perfect complement to our growing community.” Wells was appointed by the late Bishop G.E. Patterson to spear-head the hotel development and planning project.

The Hilton Garden Inn Memphis/Downtown hotel will feature 118 guestrooms, including six suites, offering complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access and remote printing to the hotel’s business center; the Garden Sleep SystemTM bed; ergonomic Mirra® desk chair by Herman Miller; high definition flat screen television and innovative clock that allows guests to play their MP3 or portable CD player. The hotel will also feature flexible meeting space with high-tech capabilities; a 24-hour complimentary business center; a workout facility; an indoor/outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool; a full-service restaurant; and an onsite guest laundry facility.

Sid Saleson of Area Hotels, LLC who is spearheading the Hilton Garden Inn hotel project said, “Downtown Memphis is quickly becoming the center of real estate growth. When COGIC expressed an interest in bringing a hotel into the area, Hilton Garden Inn is the brand that came to mind because of its appeal to both business and leisure travelers.”

Construction of the Hilton Garden Inn Memphis/Downtown is expected to begin in 2008 with an anticipated opening in Spring 2009.

About Area Hotels, LLC

Area Hotels, LLC is a developer of Hilton hotels in various areas of the country. The firm has been active in developing hotels under the Hilton franchise with an eye toward the United States and Canada. Sidney H. Saleson, president will continue to develop hotels as developer for the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. (COGIC).

About Church Of God In Christ (COGIC)

The Church Of God In Christ is the largest African-American Pentecostal denomination in the world and the fourth-largest Protestant religious denomination in the United States with an estimated membership above 6.5 million. COGIC is present in 59 countries and has an estimated 14,000 congregations within the United States. COGIC headquarters are located at Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee. Bishop Charles E. Blake is Presiding Bishop.

About Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning mid-priced brand that continually strives to ensure today’s busy travelers have everything they need to be most productive on the road — from complimentary wired and Wi-Fi Internet access in all guestrooms and remote printing to the hotel’s complimentary 24-hour business center to one of the most comfortable beds you will ever experience with the Garden Sleep SystemTM. So whether on the road for personal or business reasons, Hilton Garden Inn offers the amenities and services for travelers to sleep deep, stay fit, eat well and work smart while on the road.