Hyatt Hotel
Grand Opening Countdown

The Time Has Finally Come. The grand opening of the new  convention center Hyatt has arrived! Ground was broken on June 25, 2003, and 908 days later, the hotel opened on December 20, 2005.  To commemorate the event, the Hyatt featured a five-night "countdown in lights," followed by a dedication ceremony on the morning of December 20 and fireworks that evening.  Let's hope this is the first of many "grand openings" of new skyscrapers in Downtown Denver!

Click on a thumbnail to view the photograph.

Special thanks to John D'angelo for the personal tour and to the rest of the Hyatt staff for their courteous and enthusiastic assistance during the hotel's Grand Opening celebration.

Bonus Photos!  The grand opening of the new Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center Hotel was a huge success.  Here are a few more pictures that capture some of the excitement and elegance of the new hotel, along with scenes from the dedication ceremony and evening fireworks events. 

01. The new Hyatt and its "happy face" lights as evening falls upon the city.

02. The Denver skyline shortly before the fireworks begin.

03. Fireworks launched from the roof of the Hyatt light up the night sky.

04. An impressive display given it's all coming from the roof of one building.

05.The fireworks display lasted almost about 7 minutes and drew a great crowd.

06. A zoom in after the beacon was finally illuminated.

07.  Another close in view of the fireworks celebration.

08. A close up of the Hyatt's beacon. See Photo #27 for the inside of the beacon.

09. That morning, Mayors Hicken- looper and Webb get ready for the dedication.

10. Various city councilpersons and other dignitaries at the dedication.

11. Mayor John Hickenlooper addressing the 200 or so people at the ceremony.

12. Former Mayor Wellington Webb speaks to the crowd.

13. Both mayors and officials from the Hyatt Corp. "cut the ribbon."

14. A ceremonial "first guest" arrives by limo to be checked into the new Hyatt.

15. The Hyatt staff applaud the dignitaries and guests as they enter the hotel.

16.  Some of the hotel's $2.5 million Colorado-themed art collection.

17. The Strata Bar in the hotel lobby and its upscale furnishings.

18. The Altitude restaurant at the west end of the hotel's ground floor.

19. A view of the new Hyatt's four-story, block-long grand atrium.

20. The pre-function area outside the hotel's grand ballroom.

21. The stunning interior of the 30,000 sf grand Centennial Ballroom

22. The sleek Peaks Lounge on the 27th floor.

23. The Peaks Lounge offers incredible views from its expanse of windows.

24. A look to the west at the city and the mountains beyond.

25. The view towards the lower end of the Denver skyline.

26. Looking down at the 14th Street entrance to the Colo. Convention Center.

27. A look up inside the "beacon" high above the Hyatt's 37th floor.

28. The "war room" where all 1,100 rooms are tracked for final inspection.