What Is Your Favorite Star Plaza Memory?
Recent blog by Star Plaza on July 29, 2010Did you know that Star Plaza just celebrated a birthday? Forty years, in fact! We think our ever-evolving, star-studded history is pretty cool – and we thought we’d share our story with you.
Star Plaza has been family-owned and -operated since its origin four decades ago. The property was the very first venture of our parent company, White Lodging Services, Inc., who now boasts a portfolio of over 150 properties nationwide. Star Plaza was also Merrillville, Indiana’s first branded hospitality enterprise as well as a major force behind the town’s economic development.
In 1969, the completion of I-65 through Merrillville put the growing town on the map, particularly in the regional market, and established Merrillville as the “hub” of commercial activities in Northwest Indiana. At this same time, Mr. Dean White – born and raised in the area and, at the time, a successful billboard entrepreneur – forged a fortuitous relationship with Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson, a client of White’s. This relationship eventually proved to be the momentum behind Mr. White’s transition into the development and hospitality sector – and ultimately led to the creation of Whiteco Industries, Inc. and eventually White Lodging Services, Inc.
Whiteco Industries, Inc. entered into its first hospitality endeavor with the purchase of a 9-acre parcel of land in the heart of Merrillville – proving to be an unprecedented location accessible to all points within the Northwest Indiana region. On this plot of land (corn fields, at the time), the company developed the 120-room Merrillville Holiday Inn – the first of its kind in the area and the foundation of Star Plaza’s history.
Following, in 1979, Whiteco Industries, Inc. completed a revolutionary $11 million transformation of the Merrillville Holiday Inn into a full-service high quality “convention/commercial motor hotel”. The impressive renovation included growing the hotel by approximately 105 rooms, doubling the restaurant and lounge seating capacity, constructing an adjoining Convention Center (now known as the Grand Metropolitan Ballroom), and momentously, the development and opening of the famed Holiday Star Theatre, now known as Star Plaza Theatre.
The success of the hotel’s revitalization was immediate. During the mid- to late-1980s, the Merrillville Holiday Inn and Holiday Star Theatre’s collective popularity continued to soar as the property evolved into the new “hub” of hospitality and entertainment in greater Chicagoland with its unique and versatile offerings – from its 3,400-seat spectacular theatre, to exclusive restaurants, lounges and clubs, to an array of function space perfect for any event. Furthering the appeal and generating nationwide recognition, the Holiday Star Theatre played host to numerous world-class performers, including Liberace, Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks and Aretha Franklin, to name only a few.
In early January 1990, the property raised a new brand flag: Radisson Hotels & Resorts. With this rebranding, both the hotel and theatre names changed to the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza and the Star Plaza Theatre respectively. In addition, the property celebrated yet another impressive addition to its infrastructure – the Celebrity Ballroom, which boasts an impressive 11,000 square feet of exhibition space and rounded out the meeting and conference facilities to 67,000 square feet, including Star Plaza Theatre. Also joining the equation at this time was Wisecrackers Comedy Club, hosting many of the best comedic entertainers in the area – a concept that continues to be an area favorite to this day.
As popularity for Star Plaza burgeoned into the new century, Whiteco Industries, Inc. again saw value in further evolving the property – aligning the property with the luxury hospitality being offered throughout the region, specifically in cities such as Chicago and Indianapolis. As such, in 2005, thoughtful focus and innovation were applied to the hotel’s food and beverage program, consequently propelling the property’s reputation as one of the premier event catering sources in the area. The highly popular T.J. Maloney’s Authentic Irish Pub concept was also introduced at this time and undoubtedly remains a preferred local haunt.
In 2007, the property continued to evolve with the unveiling of a $15 million renovation, which included modernized enhancements to guestrooms, the creative build-out of the lobby atrium and its poolside cabanas, as well as the Atrium Bar & Lounge venue. Our indoor tropical oasis is truly one-of-a-kind and a guest and client favorite for anything from relaxing poolside, to hosting an intimate special occasion.
Today, we continue to evolve with our new “look” and marketing campaign. Where we haven’t changed is in our dedication to an elevated and memorable guest experience, as well as in our understanding of value-driven hospitality and entertainment.
And, since you – our guests – are our top priority, we would love to know what some of your fondest memories of Star Plaza are. Perhaps you have watched the property grow over time, or had your first Star Plaza experience recently? Maybe you hosted your wedding at Star Plaza, or even celebrated an anniversary? We would be thrilled for you to share with us what Star Plaza means to you!
This is great! I got married 9 years ago at the Radisson. Looking forward to coming back to celebrate my 10-year anniversary!
I’m coming up for the first time in late August. Looking forward to the trip! Great to know a little history about the place where I’ll be staying. Are there any “must see” attractions or things to do that I shouldn’t miss? I’ll also be going to Chicago. Any tips would be appreciated!
Sarah – we are so glad that you had a wonderful wedding at Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza and will be returning soon! Please be sure to check out our packages, we have several that might make your return more memorable such as our “Romance Package”.
Chris – Excited that you will be visiting Northwest Indiana in August. When you are at Star Plaza, you will want to check for concerts that are available at Star Plaza Theatre, and perhaps take in a show at Wisecrackers Comedy Club. For area attractions, if you enjoy nature, don’t miss visiting the Indiana Dunes National Park.
We are only 45 minutes from downtown Chicago, so a day trip is definitely convenient! Magnificent Mile is of course a must and Millenium Park is so convenient as well as Navy Pier. In addition, there is Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and the Museum of Science and Industry just south of downtown.
On your way back to Star Plaza, you can stop off at Horseshoe Casino and we hope lady luck is on your side!
Hope to see you in August!
The first night of my honeymoon in 1974 was spent at the Holiday Inn. My hubby surprised me 25 years later by booking a beautiful room at the Radisson and a show at the theatre for an anniversary get-away. I treasure those memories, as my wonderful husband passed away in 2005. We are lucky in Northwest Indiana to have a visonary in Mr. Dean White.
Gayle – what lovely memories of Star Plaza. Thank you for sharing them with us – and with Mr. White, to whom we have passed them along as well. Creating memorable guest experiences was ultimately Mr. White’s hope and goal when embarking on the Star Plaza journey over 40 years ago. And, they are certainly the motivation behind our advancements today, which will hopefully continue to inspire future Star Plaza experiences such as yours.
We took my parents to see Eddie Rabbitt Johnny Lee and Mickey Gilley who all performed on the same show. Can’t remember the date but it was in the “Urban Cowboy” days and the show was fabulous. Seeing these three super talents in one night is something I will never forget .
Joan – Thank you for sharing, you were right about the “Urban Cowboy” days. The concert that you went to see with your parents was held in June, 1981! Glad to know that after all this time, it still something you remember fondly!