Singpoli expands abroad with $60m renovation project

First phase of hotel development in California to be completed soon

The historic Hotel Constance in Pasadena, California, will have a grand opening this month under the new name of DusitD2 Constance Hotel, following a $60 million renovation.

The venture is a joint development between owner Park Place Commercial LP and Singpoli Group, a Chinese American real estate investment and services firm.

"We want to offer a luxurious and comfortable stay for young travelers, who represent a huge market, and we also want to present the best of Asian culture to local people," said Kin Hui, CEO and president of Singpoli.

Hotel Constance opened in 1926 in the heart of Pasadena's central business district and was named after its owner Constance Perry.

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The hotel, under its new name, seeks to define contemporary style and sophisticated hospitality with a balance between modern elegance and traditional Thai warmth.

It offers 136 luxury accommodations, including 12 suites, offering comfort, style and the latest in technology.

Each guest room features an iPad touch system, which serves as a virtual concierge and allows guests to adjust room controls, make housekeeping requests, arrange dinner reservations and even shop online.

DusitD2 is a brand of Dusit International, a Thailand-based hotel management company that operates luxury properties in several countries including Thailand, China and the United Arab Emirates.

The hotel and its attached restaurants and bars will open later this month.

A second phase of development, scheduled for completion in 2016 and costing $25 million, will include 25 club-level guest rooms with a fitness center, a club lounge, a rooftop pool and other features.

The third phase will feature a seven-story office building to replace the Bank of America building located at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Lake Avenue.

"Not just the hotel itself but also the whole business area within several blocks will be new, fashionable and high-tech," said Kin Hui.

"My goal is to provide the whole package of working, living and traveling experiences to local residents and worldwide travelers who are young and tech-savvy."

DusitD2 Constance will create 1,000 jobs when the second phase is completed, said Kin Hui.

Chinese investors have bought other large hotels in California, including the Sheraton Universal in Universal City, the Crowne Plaza near the San Francisco airport and the Hilton Ontario in Ontario.

Singpoli was founded in 1977 by Herman Hui, a professor of structural engineering at Tongji University in Shanghai.

It started as a construction company in Hong Kong and in the next 14 years participated in the construction or renovation of many landmark properties in China, including the Great Hall of the People and the Beijing 1990 Asian Games Village.

Singpoli established its presence in Southern California in 1991.