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(KANSAS CITY, MO) - The 19-story, 295-room Kansas City Marriott Country Plaza is getting a $9 million facelift, its second since the property was built 21 years ago.

The hotel's new owner, Noble Investment Group of Atlanta, announced the renovation launch today.  Noble purchased the property in March of this year from General Electric Real Estate for an undisclosed price.

"The completion of these planned physical enhancements to the entire hotel will enable our dedicated team of hospitality professionals at the Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza the ability to provide their guests with a memorable luxury experience," says Bob Morse, Noble's managing principal and chief operating officer.

The $9 million renovation will include the creation of the Marriott Great Room. Morse calls the addition  "an ideal spot for guests to engage in small work groups, gather in a casual dining experience or socialize and unwind in an inviting, comfortable, living-room atmosphere."

Morse says the renovation schedule is divided into four zones:

• The welcome zone will be transformed into more than a place to check-in at the front desk or kiosk, featuring a new approach to local information, personalized concierge services and retail offerings.

• The individual zone will be a quiet place to unwind with small, comfortable spaces to read magazines and newspapers, work, surf the net or listen to personal entertainment, as well as enjoy a snack.

• The social zone will enable groups of business travelers to relax in a lounge atmosphere, offering intimate tables-for-two, where guests can converse with a glass of wine or gourmet treat, as well as other areas for impromptu meetings or breakout discussions.

The business zone will include a multi-functional boardroom complete with audio/visual equipment, a space with state-of-the-art technology for small groups, a revamped business center, and quiet spaces for private conversations.

The hotel boasts 16,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including a 42-seat amphitheatre, two concierge levels, Main Street Grill, lobby lounge, executive business center, fitness center and indoor swimming pool.  

The hotel is located about four miles south of downtown Kansas City in the fashionable Country Club Plaza district.  Home to the region's most established high-end retail, commercial and residential area, Country Club Plaza is the sophisticated center of Kansas City's dining, shopping and cultural scene.  
 
Morse says Noble Investment Group sponsors a series of private equity real estate funds and is "an integrated operating and development organization that specializes in making value-added investments in hotels and resorts throughout North America."

Robert Morse

Noble Investment Group is an award-winning operator of more than 8,000 hotel and resort guest rooms, convention and conference centers with approximately one million square feet of meeting space, as well as championship golf, day and resort spas, upscale restaurants, and branded retail coffee stores.

Morse says Noble and its predecessors have "realized superior risk-adjusted returns" while acquiring and developing over $2 billion in lodging and hospitality assets.

Noble's current discretionary private equity fund represents $310 million of equity commitments, and allows the organization the ability to invest more than $1 billion in lodging-related assets.