The new Marriott Syracuse Downtown is open and ready for business. The official opening ceremony was held this morning at the new main entrance on East Onondaga Street. After the doors closed in 2004, there was a decade of uncertainty for the hotel which originally opened in 1924. However, one local man with a vision and expertise to restore large hotels tried to keep it from becoming obsolete. Ed Riley has never been one to take full credit for the $74 million dollar transformation.
“....but, what really made this happen was a great partnership with the city the county (Onondaga), the State and the community. Cause I can’t thank the community enough for all their support and what they’ve done and now I’m going to ask you to support our wonderful associates that we have here that are going to take care of you and make things happen.“
While there were many partners, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner does give Riley full credit for his passion to save the landmark. She feels tourists will now seek-out Syracuse as a destination to experience the ornate décor of a truly unique hotel.
“Between the fixtures, the paintings, the columns, the windows, the views, it’s extraordinarily unique and I can assure you, that people who live architecture, art, people who want to stay in some place different and unique are gonna flock here for it.”
The restoration of the hotel’s core is complete. Riley says the new Eleven Waters Restaurant and Barbershop Bar opened to the public this afternoon on the ground level. More Restaurants will be unveiled including a sports themed steakhouse called “Legends Steakhouse” complete with the original basketball hardwoods the Syracuse Nationals played on at the War Memorial. Construction of the Presidential suites will be finished next week along with a few details to the bridal and grooms’ areas near the Grand Ballroom. All of the other hotel suites are open for check-in.