November 23, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Cheonwon Industry announced on March 30 that it has signed an agreement with Marriott International and will convert its former Ritz-Carlton hotel to Le Méridien Seoul.

A rendering image of Le Méridien Seoul scheduled to open on Sept. 1

It will be the country’s first Le Méridien hotel. The 45-year-old French hospitality chain was acquired by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide in 2005 and became a brand of Marriott following the merger of the two mega chains last year. 

The Seoul branch in southern Seoul has been under extensive renovation, estimated to be worth 110 billion won (US$98.43 million), since Jan. 1 and is planning to open on Sept. 1. The contract with Ritz-Carlton expired on Dec. 31, 2016, said the company. 

UK’s David Collins Studio is in charge of the makeover and the hotel will have 336 rooms designed under the concept of ‘mid-century modern,’ according to Cheonwon Industry. The hotel will house a large contemporary art center offering a public space to enjoy multimedia art, and the works of leading South Korean artists will be showcased throughout the building, added the company.

By Hwang You-mee (glamazon@heraldcorp.com)