The Harp Group

Unashamedly up-market┬áThe Harp Group brings experience and focus to its strategy of high-end hospitality development and investment, Ruari McCallion reports. The Harp Group is the sort of company that observers (and competitors) make notes about; it has made quite a bit of noise since it appeared on the scene in 1997. Founder and company president Peter G. Damon established it as a real estate investment company with the strategy of ÔÇ£capitalizing on value-creation opportunities in retail investment markets.ÔÇØ It has been busy doing exactly that; in 2006 it broke ground on a $140 million, 556-room InterContinental brand luxury hotel at Chicago OÔÇÖHare International Airport.  In February, it reached well beyond its Chicago base to the Doubletree Hotel near Los Angeles International Airport in a $30.5 million purchase. Closer to home, the Holiday Inn Select in Naperville, Illinois, joined the fold in April for renovation, refurbishment and expansion of its facilities. The pace hardly eased up in 2007, with the acquisition of the 580-room Radisson Hotel at LAX and the AAA- rated four-diamond Hotel Pacific in Monterey, California. ItÔÇÖs just a short walk from FishermanÔÇÖs Wharf, Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a brief drive from Big Sur, Pebble Beach and Carmel. In just nine years, Harp Group has grown to become a leading hospitality developer and operator, with a portfolio in excess of $1 billion. The size, prestigious locations and, where appropriate, solid brand association of the acquisitions indicate where the Harp Group has positioned itself. ItÔÇÖs unashamedly up market, focused on delivering quality and outstanding service in high-end hospitality and retail facilities. In March 2007, Harp Group came together with fellow Chicago businesses Mid┬¡America Development Partners, Portfolio Hotels and Resorts, and Cenitare Restaurants to launch the Crescendo Companies. Together, they develop and manage nearly 5.8 million square feet of shopping center space; 3,500 hotel and resort rooms; and 225,000 square feet of conference and convention space.Harp Group prides itself on having a different approach to development. From the outset, each project, new build or regeneration, is analyzed in its context. A hotel, mixed-use or retail development is not considered in isolation. The environment and surroundings are the starting point. Environmentally sound landscaping is the first thing that catches the eye as the building is approached. The company makes a point of employing innovative, creative and dynamic architects, designers and contractors, and works with progressive hotel brands to create attractive projects. Harp Group constructions are characterized by the use of natural light, to create a building that immediately puts its users at ease ÔÇö and that applies to staff, as well as visitors and guests. Personnel serve their customers better if they are working in an environment that is friendly to them.While the Hotel Pacific in Monterey is a recent addition to the Harp Group family, it showcases a number of the attributes that the company believes are important, helping to enhance the community and add value for all stakeholders. Managed by affiliated company Portfolio Hotels & Resorts, it is an all-suite hotel, with modern interiors within a Spanish style exterior. Graceful gardens with soothing fountains create a relaxed environment. Inside, the wooden-floored suites are unusual in the area in featuring fireplaces for a relaxing, welcoming and homelike ambience. By contrast, while still embodying the Harp GroupÔÇÖs strategy, the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel & Prairie Crossing, at Wheeling, Illinois, is business-oriented. It has 412 rooms and over 35,000 square feet of banqueting and conference space, including three kitchens ÔÇö two of which are kosher. As well as the expected business facilities, swimming pool and fitness center, the hotel hosts Osteria de Tramonto, Tramonto Steak & Seafood, and the RT Lounge. They are operated by Harp GroupÔÇÖs restaurant affiliate, Cenitare Restaurants, which was established to showcase the talents and innovations of executive chef Rick Tramonto and executive pastry chef Gale Gand. Harp Group aims to achieve higher than average revenue from food and beverage ÔÇö and you donÔÇÖt get that by offering the same as everybody else. The themes range from coffee bars through lounge dining, offering authentic cuisine and contemporary design, under four brand banners: GaleÔÇÖs Coffee Bar completes the quartet. The Harp Group offers guests and customers a choice of excellent services, whether in rooms, dining, design or retail space, which means more value to operators.