White Lodging to Operate Purdue Hotel
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMerrillville-based White Lodging Services Inc. has been chosen to operate the Union Club Hotel on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus. The building was constructed in phases from 1929 to 1953 and is currently undergoing a major renovation. White Lodging will be tasked with creating a learning laboratory for students enrolled in the university’s Hospitality & Tourism Management program. Students will effectively fill all the roles in the hotel, restaurant and bar.
"We’re excited to support such an iconic part of Purdue University and build the next generation of hospitality professionals by supplementing the classroom experience with hands-on learning," said Ken Barrett, White Lodging’s president and chief executive officer, hospitality management. "Guests of the Union Club can expect the same world-class hospitality experience they receive at any of our nearly 100 premium-branded hotels and more than 40 restaurants and bars."
The hotel was closed earlier this month and is undergoing a complete overhaul through the 2019-2020 academic year. The work will modernize the hotel, which has not been significantly renovated in over 40 years. A yet-to-be announced restaurant and bar will also be added to the property. The renovations are supported primarily by donations of $15 million from Bruce and Beth White and $15 million from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation.