With A Multi-Million Dollar Remodel And New Ownership - Hotel Shattuck Plaza Brings Boutique To Berkeley

Berkeley, CA – The historic Hotel Shattuck Plaza, nearing its 100th year anniversary, re-emerges in Downtown Berkeley after two years and a multi-million dollar renovation. Under the leadership of Cal Berkeley Alumni, Perry Patel and Rita and Shashank Parasnis of the family owned BPR Properties, the boutique hotel opens its doors, offering special preview rates starting at $131 per night from May through July 2009, based on availability— in anticipation for its late-summer grand opening.

"This property has a priceless historic value to it," says owner B.B. Patel, President and CEO of BPR Properties. "We wanted to honor its history as Berkeley's first hotel, while transforming the property into a modern and vibrant destination." In the restoration, much of the original architectural design is left intact, exhibiting BPR's commitment to preserving and honoring the hotel's history. Designed by Thom Jess of Arris Architects, renowned design firm Ziv Davis, and historical architect Mark Hulbert, the hotel's redesign is timeless. Upon entrance, guests are welcomed by a sleek, vaulted foyer, decorated with a signature embedded peace symbol, as well as the bustling oval-shaped bar and open-dining room of the property's soon to open restaurant FIVE. Guests will find that the design elements celebrate the property's history as well as its future in Berkeley.

The Hotel Shattuck Plaza will debut its new restaurant, FIVE, in June 2009. FIVE will be a modern American bistro that caters to hotel guests as well as the community. At the helm of the kitchen is Executive Chef Scott Howard, renown for his former restaurant Fork in San Anselmo, as well as his namesake establishment in San Francisco. "The menu will offer reinvented classics," Howard says. "Each dish will be familiar to many, yet will incorporate flavors that surprise all senses." The menu will feature sustainable, organic, and local ingredients, offering a restaurant for visitors and locals alike to experience the quintessential Berkeley dining experience. FIVE will be open 7 days a week, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the dining room, and in guest rooms through room service. A separate bar menu will be available at the bar and lounge.

The hotel has six floors and a total of 199 guest rooms, including 17 suites. The rooms and suites offer modern and luxurious amenities including flat screen televisions and iPod docks, while offering warmth and old world comfort. A number of rooms peer out onto the beauty of the Bay Area with stunning bay-views of nearby San Francisco and the City's famous Golden Gate Bridge.

The property also offers just under 10,000 square-feet of meeting and event space on multiple levels of the hotel. All meeting space is equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities. For special occasions, events, and conventions, guests will be impressed with the treasured 2,856 square foot Crystal Ballroom adorned with antique mirrors, and an adjoining courtyard, capturing the elegance and charm of the property's age-old history.

With respect to the environment, the Hotel Shattuck Plaza's new design includes a host of eco-friendly initiatives. An in-room energy-management system (key card activated) will reduce energy consumption when rooms are unoccupied; and advanced HVAC energy-efficient balancing systems, built-in on each floor, will evenly distribute all emitted energy. The Hotel Shattuck Plaza also uses sustainable non-toxic cleaning agents. The property will continue its commitment to sustainability by continuing to implement eco-friendly measures in future operations and the upkeep of the property.

BPR Properties' management team, which has over 100 years of hospitality experience combined, shares a philosophy of exceeding guest needs and catering to every whim. With the Hotel Shattuck Plaza's stellar management team of industry professionals in place, guests are sure to experience the property's utmost commitment to hospitality.

"The Hotel Shattuck Plaza is approachable and dynamic," says Rita Parasnis. "It's ideal for UC Berkeley fans, families, friends and alumni, as well as sophisticated leisure and business travelers." The property offers a full-service intimate boutique experience for visitors, and it will once again take its place as the hub and meeting spot for locals.

Benefiting Berkeley and surrounding communities—the Hotel Shattuck Plaza will offer approximately 100 employment opportunities.

To make a reservation and for more information on the Hotel Shattuck Plaza, please visit: www.hotelshattuckplaza.com. Also visit the property and watch it evolve on Facebook and Twitter.

The Hotel Shattuck Plaza's Grand Opening is set for late Summer 2009. Look for ribbon cutting ceremonies and an Opening Gala, celebrating the property's return to Berkeley. Proceeds will benefit partnering charitable organizations

ABOUT BPR PROPERTIES

Palo Alto based BPR Properties has strived for excellence in the hospitality industry for over 35 years. B.B. Patel started with his first property, a 26-unit motel, in Redwood City, CA in 1973. Since then, the company has grown through a number of ground-up development projects as well as acquisitions of landmark properties. For more information, please visit www.bprproperties.com or call 650.424.1400.

David Pedersen
Media Contact
(415) 781-5700
Hotel Shattuck Plaza