The Challenge

The Draper Approach

Results Realized

The Challenge

In the highly competitive environment of business traveler hospitality, a brand cannot afford to become stagnant. Failing to look forward and anticipate the market demands will equate to a loss of market share and declining revenues. This is the very position that The Courtyard by Marriott chain of business traveler motels faced. In response to these market conditions, Crestline Barcelo Hotels, an owner of a portfolio of these properties retained Draper & Associates (D&A) as its Owner's Agent and program manager for the reinvention of seven of its properties along the East Coast.

The Draper Approach

Draper & Associates performed a wide array of owner agent and program manager duties for Crestline Barcelo, as they became the first owner to rollout the re-invention package for the Courtyard brand. Draper & Associates' responsibilities began with strategic budget planning development and continued through the process to oversight of construction, FF & E installation and acceptance of the re-invented space. As part of the firm's initial tasks, D&A spearheaded the selection and contract negotiations for the remaining elements of the owner's construction team, the Architectural Services firm and Purchasing Agent. In short order, D&A began managing the design phase of the project. As a part of this phase, D&A oversaw the adaptation of the overall brand re-invention package as they applied to the unique characteristics of the seven properties. In addition to coordinating the efforts of the owner's construction team, D&A facilitated timely and effective communication across the multitude of organizational and operational elements within Marriott International. The culmination of these efforts was the successful adaptation of the program for the specific properties, the selection and purchase of FF&E, the selection of a general contractor, and the project communication mechanisms necessary to convey they project status from one property to the entire enterprise of all seven properties.

Throughout construction, D&A served as the focal point for all vested entities in the project. Draper & Associates ensured a coordinated construction effort amongst the property, contractors, owner construction team, and owner, while mitigating the adverse affect of the project on the day-to-day operations of the hotel. Culmination resulted in the seamless transfer of 1,071 rooms and seven public spaces being re-invented in accordance with the stated program goals of Marriott International and the owner, Crestline Barcelo.

Results Realized

Draper & Associates' ability to manage issues across a broad spectrum of strategic and tactical issues throughout a geographically dispersed-Boca Raton, FL, to Boston , MA- area, provided the owner and other project team members with a single point of contact and issue resolution that maximized outcomes while minimizing time and resource requirements. This project integration facilitated the timely and successful completion of all seven projects, thereby helping the client with its goal of market leadership and brand recognition.