Opening of the Westin Denver International Airport Signals the Completion of a 20-Year Vision for Denver

DENVER — Nov. 19, 2015 — More than 20 years after visionary planners conceived of a modern, globally connected airport with an on-site hotel and rail service to downtown Denver, today’s opening of the Westin Denver International Airport is completing that decades-old vision.

Denver International Airport (DEN) today joined with Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock and Westin Hotels and Resorts in celebrating the opening of the Westin Denver International Airport hotel and conference center and its adjoining open-air plaza, which sit upon the airport’s new transit center that is set to open in April 2016.

Together, these projects make up the DEN Hotel and Transit Center, which is Denver’s latest shining achievement. The commanding glass and steel structure comprises more than 433,000 square feet. The grand, modern hotel and conference center offers 519 guest rooms, 35 spacious suites and a 37,500-square-foot conference center.

Offering airport-to-hotel convenience that is unparalleled in the United States, the conference center includes two ballrooms and 15 additional meeting rooms and boardrooms of varying sizes. The largest ballroom encompasses 7,500 square feet, accommodating up to 750 people. The meeting space’s most dramatic feature is a 10,000-square-foot prefunction area showcasing a panoramic, three-story, floor-to-ceiling glass wall that is approximately 100 feet wide. DEN’s location in nearly the center of the United States – just a two-hour flight from the West Coast and three hours from the East Coast –makes the Westin Denver International Airport a highly competitive and attractive location for meetings and conferences. Denver also boasts the third-largest domestic network of any major U.S. airport, helping to make connecting to the Mile High City even easier.

An urban experience with wall-to-wall views from every room, guests of the Westin Denver International Airport will enjoy ongoing programs, events, entertainment and relaxation at this new airport destination. Beyond that, guests will be connected to Denver’s vibrant downtown via the Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) new University of Colorado A Line – scheduled to begin service on April 22, 2016 — that will take passengers from DEN to Denver Union Station in about 37 minutes.

“Today, we open an entirely new chapter in our international airport’s history,” said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock. “With this stunning new hotel, conference center and open-air plaza, we are elevating Denver and the Rocky Mountain region to new heights. The hotel and commuter line set to open in April are the first steps toward leveraging DIA as an economic powerhouse that will create tens of thousands of new jobs and bring more business opportunity to Metro Denver.”

The mayor continued, “Thank you to the strong leaders, visionaries and a tremendous community for making today possible. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and prouder still of the future we have forged together.”

Designed by global architect, Gensler, and built by MHS, a tri-venture comprised of contractors Mortenson, Hunt and Saunders, the towering LEED certified building honors flight and aviation, symbolizing wings of a bird in flight hovering above the plaza and the iconic tents of the Jeppesen Terminal. Gensler also designed the 82,000-square-foot, open-air plaza, framed by two 150-foot canopies that connect the terminal to the hotel and transit center. The plaza is set to become Denver’s newest venue for arts, entertainment and relaxation, connecting the community to DEN.

“Today’s opening of the Westin Denver International Airport marks the achievement of a major milestone towards our goal of solidifying DEN’s place on the world map, expanding economic growth in our region and elevating the overall travel experience in and through the Mile High City,” said airport CEO Kim Day. “This state-of-the-art addition will further the transformation of Denver’s airport into a destination in itself, with easy connectivity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountain region have to offer.”

Offering all of the world-class luxury that the Westin brand has to offer, the Westin Denver International Airport will revitalize weary travelers with first-class comfort and modern, sleek and calming design, along with innovative technology. Soon after opening, guests will be able to check in right from their phones with SPG Keyless Entry, completely bypassing the front desk. Each room will include one of Westin’s signature Heavenly® Beds and Heavenly® Bath amenities, including the Heavenly® Shower. Business travelers can rejuvenate and relax with Rocky Mountain views from the topstory WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio, while families swim in the pool, both located in the “saddle” of the building.

“Denver is growing, and travelers from around the world flock to Colorado to enjoy the pristine Rocky Mountains. Now, business and personal travelers alike can enjoy every aspect of Westin’s brand promise for A Better You, right at the airport,” said Tom Curley, general manager of the Westin Denver International Airport.

In addition to all of its Heavenly® amenities, guests at the Westin will also enjoy first-rate dining at the Grill & Vine Restaurant, complete with a spacious outdoor patio, incredible views, and a world-renowned menu. Complimenting Westin’s core brand values, its menu will support wellness with simple, light, fresh foods while also focusing on locally sourced items, handcrafted cocktails and wines.

The expansive public art program at DEN and at the new Hotel and Transit Center will make traveling to Denver a topnotch artistic experience as well. The large-scale public art at the Hotel and Transit Center is focused on the three main public areas, starting at the train arrival area, at the escalator that ascends from the train hall to the plaza, and the plaza itself. All of DEN’s public art, including art within the hotel by Colorado artists, embrace aspects that reflect the region and enhance a sense of place at the airport. More information on the public art at DEN can be found at http://www.flydenver.com/art.

ABOUT WESTIN HOTELS & RESORTS:

Westin Hotels & Resorts has been a leader in wellness and hospitality for more than a decade. Today, Westin has more than 200 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, and is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,200 properties in 100 countries and over 180,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, element® and the recently introduced Tribute Portfolio™. The Company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood recently announced plans to spin off its Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. business, a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands, into a standalone public company by the end of 2015. For more information, please visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com.

About MHS

MHS is a Tri-Venture entity comprised of three of the region’s top construction firms: Mortenson Construction, Hunt Construction and Saunders Construction. MHS is the prime contractor delivering Denver International Airport’s Hotel and Transit Center project.

About Mortenson

Serving Colorado for 35 years, Mortenson is a U.S.-based, family-owned construction and development services company. As one of the nation’s top builders, Mortenson provides a complete range of construction services, including planning, program management, preconstruction, general contracting, construction management and design-build. The company also is a leader in real estate development, developing all asset types. Mortenson has operations across North America with offices in Chicago, Denver, Iowa City, Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland, Oregon, San Antonio, Seattle and Toronto. For more information, visit mortenson.com.

About Hunt Construction Group

In its 70-year history, Hunt has been known as one of the nation’s leading construction services firms consistently ranking among the top contractors by Engineering News-Record. Growth and innovation are the cornerstones of Hunt’s team, and it prides itself on being among the best in construction management, design-build, integrated project delivery, general contracting and preconstruction services. For more information on Hunt, visit www.huntconstructiongroup.com

About Saunders Construction, Inc.

Saunders Construction, Inc. serves the commercial building industry as a full-service general contractor, design-builder and construction manager. A leader in the Colorado construction industry since its inception in 1972, Saunders’ experience includes a wide range of project types. Saunders is one of the region’s largest general contractors and is the recipient of more than 100 industry awards for its construction excellence, employee achievements and community contributions. In addition, Saunders is a member of the Citadel Group – an alliance of seven regional construction-related companies with operations in 19 cities. For additional information, please visit www.saundersci.com.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

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