NEW YORK, Dec. 2 / Radisson Hotels Worldwide today announced a major new expansion in the heart of Manhattan with the historic Hotel Lexington, located on Lexington Avenue and East 48th Street, to undergo an extensive multi-million dollar renovation and be re-named the Radisson Hotel New York-East Side. The hotel will be re-named in mid-January.

The 27-story, 700-room hotel, which has been a historic hospitality landmark in mid-town Manhattan, will undergo a complete renovation including guestrooms, corridors and public spaces. The renovation design is being directed by the Gettys Group from Chicago and the John Hardy Group from Atlanta will manage the renovation project.

The announcement follows the signing of an agreement with Radisson Hotels Worldwide and the ownership/management partners of the hotel, Oxford Capital Partners of Chicago and Highgate Holdings of Dallas.

"The addition of this important hotel is reflective of Radisson's strategy to add major hotels in key business and leisure destinations," said Eric Danziger, president of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, the parent company of Radisson Hotels Worldwide. "With its premier location in mid-town Manhattan, the Radisson Hotel New York-East Side will serve business and leisure travelers from around the world with Radisson's distinctive "Genuine Hospitality," he added.

"Radisson has earned a reputation throughout the world for its leadership in meeting and exceeding guest expectations," said Steve Barick, senior vice president of operations for Highgate Holdings. "We are pleased to join with Radisson in representing the brand in this vital global market," he added. Built in 1929 on Lexington Avenue at East 48th Street, this newest Radisson has enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The hotel has served as home to many famous personalities such as Joe DiMaggio who lived in Suite 1806 when he retired from the New York Yankees and was married to Marilyn Monroe. Actor Arthur Godfrey broadcasted from the hotel and actress Dorothy Lamour always stayed at the Lexington when visiting New York.

The Radisson Hotel New York-East Side will serve the needs of both business and leisure travelers. Its guestrooms will offer dataports, voice mail and iron-ironing board. Business Class rooms will offer high-speed Internet access and telephone simultaneously delivered over the same line. The hotel also offers a fully equipped exercise room and business center. Front desk staff are fluent in many international languages, providing assistance to guests from around the globe.

The multi-million dollar refurbishment will be conducted in phases over eight months to minimize the effect on hotel guests.

The new Radisson Hotel New York-East Side, located in the heart of Manhattan's prestigious East Side, is just a short walk from Fifth and Madison avenues' shopping, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Broadway theatres, the United Nations, Grand Central Station and numerous Fortune 500 companies. The hotel offers many amenities, including concierge services to secure tickets to theater and sporting events.

The hotel offers four restaurants and a lobby bar. Vuli, located street level off the lobby, serving superb Northern Italian cuisine; Sung Dynasty, located on the Mezzanine Level, with a variety of tradition Chinese dishes and regional specialties; and Raffles, street level Corner Cafe, offers all- day/late night dining; and a 200-seat multi-level entertainment and dining club will open in early 2000 in the location that was formerly the Historic Hawaiian Room. Conference rooms can accommodate meetings and parties for up to 200 people.

The Radisson Hotel New York-East Side will be linked to Radisson's industry-leading global business delivery and reservations systems. Reservations for Radisson Hotels Worldwide can be made in the United States or Canada by calling 800-333-3333, with a travel consultant or by visiting the company's website site at www.radisson.com

Minneapolis-based Radisson Hotels Worldwide and its parent Carlson Hospitality Worldwide include over 610 hotel and resort locations in 54 countries, plus five cruise ships sailing worldwide. Other operations of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide include Regent International Hotels; Radisson Seven Seas Cruises; Country Inns & Suites By Carlson; Carlson Lifestyle Living; Carlson Vacation Ownership; Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, which includes T.G.I. Friday's and other restaurant brands; and Provisions, a worldwide procurement company.