With many moving parts, the technology piece of this project was just one of many that called for a collaborative process.
By Cindy Davis
December 06, 2012
the 18-hour bar — a feat Hilton notes is the first of its kind for a hospitality brand in the U.S.
Additional television monitors are positioned throughout the lobby areas to encourage group interaction and private viewing, when needed. A variety of seating arrangements further allow for diverse social interactions, while custom furniture designs and modern atrium lighting sculptures provide a sophisticated and contemporary feel to the space.
Accomplishing this highly interactive though relaxed environment wasn’t without its challenges. Weiss noted that planning and executing the technology component in a way that aligned with the timeline, scale and moving parts of the project was the biggest obstacle from the outset.
“While the technology piece may often hinge on a few moving parts, this project had many across various disciplines that called for an even greater collaborative process,” Weiss explained. “In addition to the impressive scale of the project, the visibility at nearby corporate headquarters and the fact that Hilton McLean Tysons Corner remained open during the renovation also helped us come together to work smarter.”
In use for a year now, Hilton McLean Tysons Corner has become a brand marker for the Hilton family of properties, which has focused on marrying design and technology to ensure “every guests feels cared for, valued and respected,” as Weiss commented.
“Hotel guests are now using the renovated lobby to relax, mingle, watch TV, enjoy a meal and conduct business,” he reported. “Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with guests taking to the diverse food and beverage offerings that evolve from coffee and grab ’n go items to shared plates and specialty cocktails. They also love the lobby’s sleek social spaces and the stylish ambiance of the Technology Lounge that features a LG video wall with four seamless panels and pairs PC and Mac workstations with a communal table and contemporary furniture groupings. Seeing how many people are in the lobby — and the myriad ways they are choosing to use it — is a tangible measure of our success.”
For decision makers in the hospitality field, Weiss offers sound advice that works in almost any collaborative effort. Specifically, he underscored the importance of seeking out the best partners in their respective channels so that the lines of communication are always open and clear and he also encourages regular and extensive discussion throughout the life of any elaborate and costly project.
“Since our company headquarters is located next to the hotel and this property is a test kitchen of sorts for our Hilton Hotels & Resorts team, we were able to come together on a regular basis to discuss how each element of the re-imagined lobby would interact with, and complement, the others,” he explained.
“On a property level, having a strong level of engagement from the hotel team from the beginning was a huge asset as our company, brand and partner teams worked to create a showcase lobby for the hotel and the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand. True to our initial goal, the Hilton brand is using the lobby design concept as an opportunity to share best technology practices with its portfolio of more than 550 properties around the world.” 
Comments
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.
