One week before the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the Hyatt Regency New Orleans celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking in honor of renovations to the property, which was damaged during the storm, finally moving forward. The hotel has been closed since 2005.

The large meeting and convention property, located adjacent to the Louisiana Superdome, the New Orleans Arena, and the city’s new medical district, will have 1,200 rooms—about 800 more than previously—and will be used to anchor city-wide conventions. It is currently scheduled to open in late 2011.

Renovations to the Hyatt Regency New Orleans include expanded meeting and exhibition space to more than 200,000 square feet, doubling the existing amount. It will also provide opportunities to bring added business to supplement the Morial Convention Center.

“This hotel represents the future of New Orleans,” said Michael Smith, general manager, Hyatt Regency New Orleans. “In our redevelopment planning we placed a keen focus on market research and what was needed in the area. Our expanded meeting and event space will be the pinnacle of commerce in New Orleans.” This page is protected by Copyright laws. Do Not Copy