The dismantling of the “Marriott” sign from the top of the skyscraper, where the hotel of this chain operated for 35 years, has begun. The contract between the American operator Marriott International and the building administrator was terminated. Hotel operations will continue there, but under a different brand.
It is safe to say that the LIM skyscraper on Aleje Jerozolimskie, opened in 1989, is one of the most recognizable buildings and symbols of contemporary Warsaw. Since the completion of the 12-year-long construction, a hotel of the American chain Marriott International has operated in the high-rise building. At the top of the building there was a characteristic white inscription on a dark background with the name of the hotel. Its dismantling has just begun.
Collaboration broken
“Rzeczpospolita” reported at the beginning of August that the five-star hotel already operating in the center of Warsaw does not have the right to the Marriott brand. The American network withdrew from hosting it. The information was confirmed by the company's spokeswoman for Eastern Europe, Katarzyna Gospodarek. “The Warsaw Marriott Hotel is no longer part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio,” she said.
There were no official reasons for terminating cooperation between Marriott International and the building's administrator, LIM Center.
The industry portal e-hotelarz reported that there were legal disputes between LIM Center and the Marriott chain. “Several proceedings between the parties were pending in the Polish prosecutor's office, and explanatory proceedings were also pending before the International Court of Arbitration in London. They mainly concern settlements during the pandemic,” we read.
Hotel operations will continue in the building on Aleje Jerozolimskie, but under a different name – Warsaw Presidential Hotel.
Presidents and music stars
The LIM building (for Warsaw residents it has always been simply Marriott) at Aleje Jerozolimskie 65/79 was designed by Tadeusz Stefański, Jerzy Skrzypczak and Andrzej Bielobradek. Its construction lasted from 1977 to 1989. Without the antenna on the roof, the building is 140 meters high. It has 42 floors. The Marriott hotel operated from the 20th floor upwards. There are over 520 rooms at guests' disposal.
For 35 years, many guests from the world of politics have stayed at the hotel, including: the presidents of the United States visiting Poland, as well as music stars: Michael Jackson, Luciano Pavararotti, and at the beginning of August this year, pop star Taylor Swift.
Main photo source: Artur Węgrzynowicz/tvnwarszawa.pl