The ribbon has been cut and the fancy new upgrades unveiled at the Hilton Shreveport, 104 Market Street. Time has flown, but 17 years ago, downtown’s premier business class hotel first opened its doors. On their 17th anniversary, the team members who have been at the property from the beginning – including current General Manager Marianne Nelson- gathered for a group photo.
June 7 Anniversary Photo with 17-year team members!
Nelson helmed the most recent property overhaul; a multi- million dollar endeavor that included full exterior waterproofing and repainting, new soft goods, furnishings and overall improvements, in and out. Nelson knows that this is an investment that will continue to return dividends to travelers, the local community, and the City. She echoes the comments of Cate Jean, the Hilton’s Director of Sales.
“We understand that continued investment in the property only enhances the overall customer experience and helps bring business to our area, which directly affects economic impact.”
Kudos are due the Hilton Shreveport for also pushing to include the works of local artists that are on display throughout the property.
The beautiful pool deck. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Hernandez Photo.
The mural on the lovely pool deck on the 12th floor is by local artist Ka’Davien Baylor, who also created a stunning painting in the 12th floor event room. Local artist Ron Smith’s works are also prominently displayed throughout the hotel.
Muralist Ka’Davien Baylor in front of his painting that inspired the pool deck mural. Photo courtesy Jeremy Hernandez Photo.
This latest round of property improvements also includes lobby enhancements, updated lighting, drapery and seating in rooms, updates to the fitness center & meeting spaces as well as the exterior drive and outdoor seating/dining area.
That lobby rug is to die for. Photo courtesy Jeremy Hernandez Photo.
Travelers will see improvements from the moment they step into the cool lobby to the moment they depart the elevator on their floor.
The smallest detail- the view from the elevator! Photo courtesy Jeremy Hernandez Photo.
The Hilton Shreveport isn’t just for travelers, it is also a wonderful local staycation break, a short drive to a place that seems far, far away. You’re also invited to come and enjoy the lobby River and Rye Restaurant, that features meals, snacks, and lots of fun beverage choices and is open expanded hours.
Congratulations to all who shepherded this 12+ month project through. The results are truly stunning!
Everything is complete but the ribbon cutting for the ‘new’ Hilton Shreveport at 104 Market Street. You might be thinking that it is a fairly regular thing for there to be upgrades at the Hilton, and you would be right. Continued investment in a heavily used property is the name of the game. Cate Jean, the Director of Sales and Marketing, says the staff at the Hilton always looks forward to showcasing their improvements to the Shreveport-Bossier market. “We understand that continued investment in the property only enhances the overall customer experience and helps bring business to our area, which directly affects economic impact.”
Shreveport Hilton entrance.
This latest round of property improvements includes renovation to rooftop pool area with the addition of rooftop meeting space, lobby enhancements, updated lighting, drapery and seating in rooms, updates to the fitness center, the hotel exterior & meeting spaces. Art was not left out of the improvements. There are new art installations by local artists Ka’Davien Baylor and Ron Smith.
~The Work, Detailed~
For several months, crews from Benson and Falgout Waterproofing were perched high in the sky on scaffolding and in something called bosun chairs (see a video, here) to waterproof the building. This was not a job for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights.
Waterproofing crew from Benson and Falgout
There has also been work on the front drive, which is undergoing a major overhaul. A patio/deck is being added onto the entryway to the River & Rye Restaurant and fresh landscaping and new ambient lighting is being added to illuminates the newly painted exterior.
Artist rendering of the new color and entrance look.
Hilton and the City of Shreveport, the owner of the hotel, continue to make the investment to keep the property the premier business class hotel in the region. Without that ongoing investment, hotel properties quickly become places that you do not want to stay. Shreveport Hilton General Manager Marianne Nelson echoes that sentiment, saying she is excited about the franchise renovation and the new, fresh and updated look.
Equal to the work happening outside are the changes inside. The ‘main’ space that everyone coming into the hotel sees- the expansive lobby- is undergoing a complete renovation. Everything from the look to the furniture to materials and color palette will be upgraded as will the 1st floor meeting rooms and the 1st floor restrooms.
Artist rendering of the new lobby look.
One thing you won’t see but is equally important is the new ‘sound.’ Large areas with lots of hard surfaces to bounce off of tend to get noisy, so acoustical enhancements to the lobby, bar area and restaurant are being added. While the common areas are the most viewed and get the most traffic, people come to hotels to stay in the rooms, and Hilton is upgrading them, too.
New furniture and materials for the guest rooms and corridors.
Some of the most eye popping and colorful changes can be seen on the fitness and pool deck floors. One thing that visitors will notice immediately upon walking into the pool area is the new Ka’Davien Baylor mural.
Mural by artist Ka’Davien Baylor.
The mural pays homage to all things Shreveport from the city’s musical heritage to the Bakowski Bridge of Lights to a borrowed architectural feature from the historic Municipal Auditorium.
The pool deck will also sport new furniture and water elements and a pergola and fire pits for a resort feel. The nearby fitness center will be upgraded with all new equipment including Peloton bikes, and a new multifunction room with a retractable wall that opens onto the pool area is being added. This option will give the user the best of two worlds- inside and out!
We love the room that opens fully to the pool area. Can you imagine your party held here?
Hilton General Manager Marianne Nelson says the public is encouraged to come by, have a drink or a bite at the updated River and Rye Restaurant in the lobby and take a look around. She thinks they will be proud of downtown’s premier business hotel property.
