The Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation (VEDC) supports projects across the city by fostering economic growth while ensuring that Valparaiso's distinctive character and community identity are preserved.
One important upcoming project is the Grand Gardner Hotel.
“The Grand Gardner will be an independent hotel with 58 guestrooms,” said Jennifer Brooks, director of residential property and development for Urschel Development Corporation. “Included in the hotel will also be six suites and a few special amenities.”
The Grand Gardner will additionally offer a speakeasy, banquet space, and a boardroom – blending modern amenities with historical preservation.
“We're helping to entice both travelers and locals alike to come and visit the hotel,” said Brooks.
Owned and operated by Urschel Development Corporation, the hotel will enhance tourism while maintaining the building’s architectural significance.
“The hotel project is within walking distance to downtown, something which is very appealing in today’s market,” said Dale Clapp, VEDC board chair. “It’s revitalizing the old Boys & Girls Club to a modern day boutique that will benefit the community for years to come.”
Brooks hopes that the speakeasy, banquet spaces, and boardroom will support local events and gatherings as well.
“The Grand Gardner Hotel’s banquet and meeting space will have a capacity of about 100 people,” said Brooks. “Additionally there will be a board room available.”
Projects such as the Grand Gardner Hotel are the result of hard work on many fronts.
“The VEDC’s ability to work with the city and the council brings investments to fruition,” said Clapp. “This requires many hours of work behind the scenes to educate, advise, and inform all stakeholders as well as community members on why the projects make sense.”
The project’s commitment to preserving the historical significance of the building makes it even more important to the community.
“'The hotel is in a beautiful building, and Urschel Development Corporation recognized that,” said Brooks.
In addition to having a long history in the town of Valparaiso, the location of the Grand Gardner Hotel has a long history with the Urschel family.
“Bob Urschel was a student at Gardner School, and Rick Urschel was a member of the Club,” said Brooks. “In fact, Rick was there quite frequently as a kid.”
Recognizing the history and the beauty of the structure made this upcoming development one of preservation and growth.
“The Urschel Development Corporation preserved this historic building and this architectural treasure not only because everybody recognized it as a beautiful building; it was also worthy of being saved,” said Brooks.
Hoping to maintain as much of the structure as possible, the former Boys & Girls Club building was well maintained.
“The structure of the building, the bones itself, were in good shape,” said Brooks. “We decided to go ahead and take that old building, reimagine it, see what we could do.”
The collaboration between the VEDC and its local partners is a testament to both Urschel and the VEDC’s dedication to blending preservation with progress.
To learn more about the Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation, please visit its website.
