JQH-owned Holiday Inn reopens after renovations

John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts reopened its center city Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites after eight months of renovations.

Robert Henley, who manages the hotel along with JQH's nearby University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, said the 1117 St. Louis St. property opened back up to guests July 3. Renovations, which Henley said were mostly interior improvements, began Nov. 1, he said.

Henley referred further questions to company spokeswoman Sheri Smith of WiseHive Public Relations LLC. Smith and JQH Vice President of Sales and Revenue Management Phill Burgess could not be reached for comment this morning. Smith sent a statement to Springfield Business Journal yesterday acknowledging the hotel had reopened.

Building permits on file with the city of Springfield indicate structural repairs were made on the 120-room hotel that also has a 1,350-square-foot event space. City staff could not be reached by deadline for questions regarding the permits.

In early 2013, JQH executives told SBJ the company budgeted to spend $50 million in capital improvements across its over 70-property portfolio. University Plaza underwent over $4 million in renovations that included exterior refurbishing and new signage. JQH also completed $1.5 million in renovations at its Courtyard by Marriott-Springfield Airport in early 2014, according to SBJ archives.