Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park Hotel Bids Adieu

An End of an Era

In the heart of Chennai, nestled among memories and moments, the Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park Hotel is set to close its doors on 26th December, marking the end of an era that spanned 38 illustrious years. The announcement has left many Chennaiites reminiscing about the countless meetings, corporate events, and personal milestones that found a home within its walls.

History: A Tapestry Woven with Time

The story of the hotel's genesis dates to 1981 when the 250-room Holiday Inn Adyar Gate first opened its doors. It underwent various transformations, becoming the Welcome group Adyar Park Hotel in 1985 and later the Welcome group Park Sheraton Hotel & Towers in 1988. In 2015, the Intercontinental Hotel Group took the reins, christening it the Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park. The hotel's 34-year journey witnessed not just name changes but also the ebb and flow of Chennai's corporate and cultural landscape.

Chennai's Emotional Anchor

For many, the Crowne Plaza was more than a hotel; it was a living chronicle of their lives. Rajesh Chandramouli, President Shriram Capital and a former journalist, reflects on his early days as a journalist in the 90s, attending press conferences and forging connections over drinks at the iconic property. As the countdown to closure looms, he, like many others, plans a final visit to relive the memories.

A nameless investment banker, expressing the sentiment shared by countless Chennaites, acknowledges the hotel's role as an emotional anchor for the city's corporate fabric. "For over three decades, people have grown up going to this property," he says, capturing the essence of the hotel's enduring legacy.

The Closing Chapter

The announcement of the closure came as a shock to patrons, leaving them grappling with the impending void in their lives. A corporate honcho, requesting anonymity, laments the loss, especially for business meetings. He observes, "It will create a void for the people of Chennai. Such places are important, and its shutting down will create a vacuum."

The hotel management conveyed that the decision to close was driven by the company's vision for comprehensive redevelopment. The property, however, won't fade into oblivion; instead, it will be replaced by a 34-storey residential complex courtesy of Baashyam Constructions. The strategic location, opposite the prestigious Boat Club, ensures that the legacy of the Crowne Plaza is carried forward in a new avatar.

Legacy Lives On

As Chennai bids adieu to an iconic landmark, the Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park Hotel will forever remain etched in the collective memory of a city that grew and evolved with it. The hotel's tale is not just about bricks and mortar but about the lives it touched and the stories it became a part of. As the curtain falls on 26th December, Chennaiites will undoubtedly carry a piece of the Crowne Plaza in their hearts, a testament to a bygone era that will be cherished for generations to come.