Starwood Hotels & Resorts officially opened the doors of their newest hotel, Le Meridien Philadelphia.

A ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony included special guest speakers such as Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Pennsylvania Senator Larry Farnese, HEI Hotels & Resorts Chairman and CEO, Gary Mendell, Starwood Group SVP of North American Development, Paul Sacco.

Located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, the hotel is housed in the former YMCA building designed by prominent American architect Horace Trumbauer, who also designed Philadelphia’s Union League and Museum of Art, among other well known projects of the Gilded Age.

The historic adaptive reuse property was developed for HEI Hotels & Resorts, who will be the owner and operator of the hotel. Le Meridien, the Paris-born brand with an international presence of 105 hotels and resorts, will increase its North American footprint to nine properties with the opening of this newest hotel. Le Meridien Philadelphia will serve as a U.S. flagship for the hotel group, joining Le Meridien Chambers Minneapolis, which recently joined the brand’s portfolio in February 2010.

Eva Ziegler who is Global Brand Leader of Le Meridien and W Hotels Worldwide said that “We are excited about our debut in Philadelphia, a city that shares Le Meridien’s passion for art, culture and creativity.”

Eva Ziegler added that “With its vibrant arts scene, rich history and modern sophistication, Philadelphia is an ideal fit for Le Meridien as we continue to strategically open new hotels in primary, urban markets, cultural capitals and resort destinations across North America and globally.”