BOSTON, MA – October 14, 2008 – W Hotels Worldwide, United States Congressman Stephen Lynch, Director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, John Palmieri, Sawyer Enterprises, Bovis Lend Lease and Ironworkers Local 7, today celebrated the topping off of Boston’s new W Hotel and Residences.  Opening in 2009, W Boston represents the height of modern luxury, innovative design, and whimsical style in the heart of the city’s bustling theatre district. Developed by Sawyer Enterprises, the property features 235 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and 123 branded, private Residences with gorgeous views stretching all the way from Boston Common to the Atlantic Ocean.   Ideally located within walking distance from the city’s most famous theaters, State House and Public Garden, W Boston will offer guests a destination within a destination in one of the world’s most iconic cities.

Each guest room at W Boston will feature with the latest in modern technology offerings, signature W brand amenities, and the W bed – a luxurious ensemble complete with feather-top mattress, 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and down comforter.  Guests and residents will also have access to the W brand’s exclusive Whatever/Whenever ® service, the hotel’s 24-hour concierge that provides whatever guests want – from a pair of running shoes to private jet service – whenever they want it. Additional facilities will include a state-of-the-art Sweat Fitness® center, W Living Room and 9,800 square feet of stylish, technologically sophisticated meeting space. 

“W Boston Hotel & Residences brings a new sense of vibrancy to Boston’s Theater district,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino.  “Sawyer Enterprises has been involved with this project since day one, and their commitment to ensuring the project’s completion is realized with today’s topping off.  Boston is pleased to welcome such a highly respected brand like W to our world-class city.”

The topping off ceremony signifies the completion of the development’s steel frame and celebrates the hard work of the construction tradesmen.  Those affiliated with the project signed a 20-foot steel beam which was then raised to officially “top off” W Boston’s steel construction.  As is customary with a traditional topping off, the American flag and a pine tree were perched at both ends of the steel beam. This tradition of placing a tree on the building’s highest beam celebrates the workers’ pride in this construction milestone, good luck for the building and an overall sense of excitement for completing the building’s structural frame.
 
“Sawyer Enterprises is thrilled for its part in making W Boston Hotel & Residences a reality,” said Carol Sawyer Parks, President and CEO of Sawyer Enterprises. “This project highlights the Mayor’s commitment to the Midtown area of Boston while enhancing the vitality and energy of a neighborhood that is fast becoming the most exciting place to live.  Upon its completion, the W will serve as the Theater District’s cultural hub for residents and visitors alike.”

A special highlight at this morning’s ceremony was a donation made by Ironworkers Local 7 and matched by Carol Sawyer Parks to the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center.  A check for $42,000 was presented to Dr. John Schreiber for the Floating Children’s Cancer Center.   

“We at Floating Hospital for Children, and in particular, Floating Children’s Cancer Center, are extremely grateful to the members of Ironworkers Local 7, the other unions working on this spectacular addition to Boston’s skyline, and to the entire W Boston project team for their generosity,” said John Schreiber, MD, Chief Administrative Officer of Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center. “At Floating Hospital, we treat each child like our own, and we are grateful to all those working on this project for being such supportive neighbors.”

Also, in recognition of their work on the project, Congressman Stephen Lynch presented Ironworkers Local 7 with an American Flag that had flown over the United States Capitol on October 10, 2008.

W Boston Hotel & Residences team includes developers Sawyer Enterprises, general contractor Bovis Lend Lease, development manager Jones Lang LaSalle, architects William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc. and TRO Jung|Brannen, interior designer Bentel & Bentel and the residential sales team of Otis & Ahearn.  The hotel will be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

About W Boston Hotel & Residences
Located within walking distance from the city’s most famous theaters, the Boston Common, Boston’s Public Garden and numerous award-winning restaurants, the W Boston will feature 235 sleek, contemporary guest rooms with modern technology, signature W brand amenities, and the W bed – a luxurious ensemble complete with feather-top mattress, 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and down comforter.  W Boston also includes 123 branded private residences with view stretching from the State House to the Atlantic Ocean.  Guests and residents will have access to W brand’s exclusive Whatever/Whenever ® service, the hotel’s 24-hour concierge that provides whatever guests want – from a pair of running shoes to private jet service – whenever they want it. Additional facilities will include a Sweat Fitness® center, W Living Room and 9,800 square feet of stylish, technologically sophisticated meeting space.  Convenient to both Back Bay and Downtown Boston, the hotel and residences will also be close to the city’s financial district, Tufts New England Medical Center and Logan International Airport.  Nearby entertainment options include live music venues, cutting-edge art exhibits and critically acclaimed theatre productions staged by some of the country’s best repertory companies.

About W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels is a global luxury lifestyle brand with 26 properties in the most vibrant destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access. Each hotel offers a unique mix of sophisticated design, chic comfort, and cultural influences from fashion to music, pop culture to art, and everything in between. W Hotels are unique and individual expressions of modern travel and stylish living, featuring world-class cuisine, destination bars and signature spas.  In North America and Latin America, W Hotels have been announced in Austin, Buckhead Atlanta, Downtown Atlanta, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Hoboken, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Downtown New York, Santiago, South Beach, and Washington, D.C. In Europe, W Hotels have been announced in Athens, Barcelona, London, Manchester, Milan and St. Petersburg. In Asia, W has announced properties in Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macao-Studio City, Shanghai and Yokohama. In Africa and the Middle East, W has announced properties in Amman, Doha, Dubai-Festival City, Dubai-The Palm and Marrakech. W has plans to open W Retreat & Spa properties in Bali, Koh Samui, Vieques Island and Verbier, the latter of which will serve as W Hotels’ first ski retreat.  For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

About Sawyer Enterprises
Founded in 1920, Sawyer Enterprises is a privately held owner and operator of real estate holdings in the Boston area.  The firm’s headquarters is 200 Newbury Street in Boston, the iconic home of Niketown Boston, a building developed by Sawyer Enterprises in the late 1990’s.  Sawyer Enterprises is widely known for philanthropy and involvement in civic affairs in Boston.  The Frank Sawyer School of Management at Suffolk University is named in honor of the company’s founder.