“The Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel is truly a unique property, an excellent example of how public and private entities can come together to create a successful partnership with a lasting economic impact on the city,” said Joan Cleland, president, Acquest Development, Inc. “No where else but in the beautiful city of Erie could one experience a first class metropolitan hotel property in a quaint city setting.”

Surrounded by water on three sides, the full-service hotel’s guestrooms occupy the upper six floors and half of the second. In addition to housing an elegant lobby, the hotel ground floor boasts a grand stair to the second floor meeting spaces, lobby seating with a fireplace, a bar, dining room, spa and exercise room.

Located 65 feet above the high water level of the channel it traverses, the pedestrian skywalk features a deep steel truss design with glass walls, offering dramatic views of the bay and the city it overlooks. The skywalk serves as a public access, connecting the hotel, located on West Dobbins Landing, to the newly constructed Bayfront Convention Center Complex located on Sassafras Pier. Acquest also was involved in the development of the 136,000 sq. ft. convention center, which was completed this past summer.

Acquest will oversee management of the hotel in partnership with Merrillville, Ind.-based White Lodging Services Corp., who will handle the property’s day-to-day operations.

Acquest was awarded the development rights to the hotel project in 2004 by the Erie County Convention Center Authority. Construction began in spring 2006. Funding for the project was secured through a public/private partnership between State of Pennsylvania, City of Erie and private entities.