The building that has been home to Delaware North Companies since last fall has welcomed an upscale hotel into the 12-story structure. A formal ribbon cutting ceremony was held inside the new Westin Buffalo at Delaware and Chippewa Thursday.
The Westin Buffalo features 116 rooms and 14 suites plus amenities including a ballroom, conference center, restaurant, workout center and outdoor courtyard.
"We're so excited to bring wellness to the guests of Buffalo," said Bettina Young, a brand manager for Westin Hotels who slept a night inside the new center.
"When we first heard that Delaware North was looking for an upscale brand to bring to this space, we were intrigued. But when we learned more about Buffalo, about the resurgence of the downtown, about the tourism opportunities, we realized this was the right time and the right place to bring the Westin beand to life."
Delaware North is no stranger to the hospitality industry, having grown over the decades into a multi-billion dollar firm that runs numerous and various operations across the U.S. and abroad.
Hotel officials say demand is already high for wedding receptions. And, as a Delaware North spokeswoman noted, one of the clients that are certain to stay at the hotel in coming months is the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins. The rivals of the Buffalo Sabres are owned by Delaware North's chairman, Jeremy Jacobs.
Among those celebrating the grand opening was Patrick Kaler, president and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, who praised Delaware North for being not only one of Buffalo's business giants but also attracting new business downtown.
"It's only fitting that Delaware North now has a very prominent logo right in the place of our skyline," Kaler said. "In many ways, this building and the Westin Buffalo are truly symbolic of the new Buffalo."
