W Minneapolis – The Foshay was the first W hotel finished on time and within budget

MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 10, 2008) – Utilizing its proven design-build project delivery system, Ryan Companies US, Inc. has successfully redeveloped the historic 31-story Foshay Tower from an obsolete commercial office building into the premier luxury hotel W Minneapolis – The Foshay on schedule. It was the first time a W hotel has ever been completed on time and within budget.

Ryan used its design-build approach to cohesively manage and fully integrate all partners involved in the redevelopment. To put the importance of good management in perspective for a project such as the Foshay – there were approximately 250 workers on-site in a single day at the peak of construction, requiring a vertical circulation of people and materials throughout the tower. The design-build process helped keep the project on schedule and reduced costly and time-consuming backtracking and redesigning.

“The W Minneapolis stands to become one of the finest hotels in the Midwest and I am confident that no developer other than Ryan could have brought this type of product to the Minneapolis market.” said Brian K Proctor, vice president, New Builds & Transitions, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Ryan, an industry pioneer in adapting the design-build system, continues to advance and customize its delivery to meet the needs of different customers. Incorporating a team approach from day one allows Ryan and its partners to collaborate throughout and provide superior efficiency and value, as they did during the Foshay redevelopment.

“A project that presents as many challenges as the Foshay did basically requires that you use the design-build system if you want to stay on schedule and budget,” said Rick Collins, vice president of development, Ryan Companies US, Inc. “There were a number of hurdles we faced in the redevelopment process – including preservation issues, tenant relocation and tight downtown confines – but we managed to keep the project on track and successfully completed it on time.”

The Foshay Tower was built in 1929 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ryan and lead developer Ralph Burnet made a concerted effort to preserve, restore and showcase the building’s historic design features, including the main lobby’s original ceiling and the arcade’s marble walls and terrazzo floor, while also ensuring they would provide guests with a modern, energy-efficient building in a see-and-be-seen setting.

Sustainability improvements to the building include using LED lights in most public places and replacing all but 21 of the building’s 750 windows with high-efficiency, double-paned aluminum windows for improved energy savings. The building also uses a water-cooled chiller system and premium-efficiency motors in all new pumps and air handlers, which will conserve energy for both the heating and cooling systems during winter months.

In addition to the hotel, the building is home to the newly relocated Manny’s Steakhouse, a premier restaurant and bar that has become a Minneapolis institution. The W Bar, a luxurious lounge facing Marquette Avenue, and the W Living Room, a relaxing area with cozy seating for guests and visitors, accompany Manny’s on the first floor.

On the 27th floor, and with striking panoramic views of the city, is the Prohibition Bar, which provides a VIP-like atmosphere for its patrons and features some of the building’s original architecture and paneling. A short ride up the elevators will take visitors to a museum detailing Foshay Tower’s history on the 30th floor and an observation deck on the 31st floor, both of which are open to the public

About Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Ryan Companies US Inc., a nationally recognized developer, design-builder and real estate manager, has specialized in fully integrated solutions for more than 70 years. Ryan builds lasting relationships with a project delivery model based on full-service customized solutions and total collaboration – pairing the customer’s needs and expectations with the talents of a team of developers, financiers, architects, engineers, constructors and property managers. In addition to its Minneapolis office, Ryan has offices in Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, Tampa, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Des Moines, Iowa. Ryan was named the 2007 National Developer of the Year by the National Association of Office and Industrial Properties (NAOIP).

W Minneapolis – The Foshay Project Team