SHERATON PARK PLAZA/DOUBLETREE HOTEL

The Sheraton Park Plaza Hotel, 5555 Wayzata Blvd., opened on June 6, 1982.  The theme was "Salute to the Park."  Howard Viken was the M.C. of the opening ceremony, which featured Doug Ewald of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce.  The St. Louis Park Community Band performed.  Over 400 residents, including about 150 local dignitaries, attended the ceremony.  A hot air balloon was launched, and a time capsule was buried, to be opened in 2082. 

Before the ceremony there was a "Race to the Place" 5.2 mile mini-marathon that attracted over 200 runners, led by Boston Marathoner Dick Beardsley.  Winners were Tony Benthin of Plymouth and Jacqueline McCook of Minneapolis.

The hotel was touted as a $22 million place of luxury, a boon to the city. It has two restaurants, two large ballrooms and a number of smaller meeting spaces, and lots of open atrium space with 1400 live plants.  Luxury suites were on the top floors:  The Sun reported that the one on the 14th floor looked like it was decorated with furnishings from Gump's of San Francisco.  The one on the 15th floor was done in a 21st Century design. 

The hotel, now with the address 1500 Park Place Blvd., became the Doubletree Hotel Minneapolis Park Place and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007. 






 

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.