Cleveland Hilton Hotel Project Update

An update on the construction of the Cleveland Hilton Hotel brought smiles to the faces of all involved in the project.The $272 million dollar project is on time and on budget, meaning the hotel, which was a key part of Cleveland’s bid to land the 2016 Republican National Convention, remains on schedule to open June 1, 2016.Despite a tight timeline and sometimes brutal weather conditions, construction crews have steadily worked on the 32-story hotel connected to the Cleveland Convention Center and the Global Center for Health Innovation.Throughout the project, and especially last winter, structural crews have had to deal with high winds, which at times, brought work to a halt. When the winds were greater than 40 mph, the tower crane could not safely operate.With all structural concrete and the concrete floors poured, crews are now working to enclose the building by the end of October – a key date to staying on schedule.“Based on the last few winters we've had here with extreme conditions, getting the building topped off and closed in will assure that the remainder of the work will not be impacted by the weather,” said Dave Wondolowski, Executive Secretary of the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council.As crews continue to work inside the building, Wondolowski noted the importance of the project being on budget, which is being built undera Project Labor Agreement between Cuyahoga County and the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council.“The members of the building trades take pride in the work they do,” said Wondolowski. “Just as quality and efficiency are important to them, bringing projects in on time and on or under budget is also important. This is one of our major selling points when meeting with owners to discuss their projects."Politicians, dignitaries, and others associated with the hotel construction gathered for the topping-off ceremony on Sept. 30 to place the final piece of structural steel in place, but attendees were only able to sign the girder.Perhaps ironically, high winds kept the large crane from lifting the final piece of steel more than 32 stories into the Cleveland skyline.It was the final obstacle Mother Nature could throw at the building before it becomes fully enclosed.When the winds subsided several days later, crews were able to install the girder, although to much less fanfare.