A rendering of the planned Waldorf=Astoria® hotel to be part of The Proscenium, an ambitious a mixed-use project that will transform Sarasota, Florida. The venue will feature 225 luxury hotel rooms as well as 38,000 square feet of ballroom, meeting and exhibition space. Construction is slated to begin by 4th quarter 2008 with an anticipated year-end 2010 completion.

Luxury accommodations and meeting space are coming to Sarasota, Florida. Lion’s Gate Development, along with Hilton Hotels Corporation’s Waldorf=Astoria Collection® have unveiled their plans for a luxury, 225-room, Waldorf=Astoria® hotel. as a key component of The Proscenium, a mixed-use project in downtown Sarasota that includes 130,000 square feet of prime retail, restaurant and entertainment space. In addition to the 225 luxury hotel rooms, the hotel will include 38,000 square feet of ballroom, meeting and exhibition space, the iconic Peacock Alley® Lounge, signature restaurants, a roof-top pool overlooking downtown Sarasota and the bay front, and a 12,000 square foot spa. Direct access from the hotel’s ballroom and meeting space floor will be provided via a bridge to the VIP lounge of the proposed 800-seat Nederlander performing arts hall. Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment has been in businesses for over 100 years as a leading worldwide performing arts presenter. "We are simply delighted to share in the announcement with Lion’s Gate Development that The Proscenium will include a Waldorf=Astoria Sarasota," said Ernest Wooden, Jr., executive vice president – brand management, Hilton Hotels Corporation. "We considered many prestigious locations, but the scope and quality of The Proscenium truly complemented the characteristics of a Waldorf=Astoria Hotel and vice versa. In addition, we have been watching the Sarasota market for years and the timing was right to consider a presence there. We look forward to being a part of this sophisticated, culturally rich city."

Luxury is on the rise in Sarasota, Florida. Hilton and Lions Gate Development ink the deal to bring a Waldorf=Astoria® hotel to the new Proscenium project. Front Row, (left-to-right)Allen Ostroff, Proscenium partner; Ted Ratcliff, Sr.VP- American Operations, Hilton Hotels Corporation; Gary Moyer, Lion's Gate Development; Back row: (left-to-right) Bruce Ostroff, Proscenium Partner; Zeb Portanova, Proscenium Partner; Karen Cook, Lion's Gate Development, and Gregg Rockett, V.P. of Development, Hilton Hotels Corporation