Joie de Vivre Hotels and Mootz and Company announce joint venture set to open this fall

Business Wire, August 12, 1996

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 1996--Chip Conley, President of Joie de Vivre Hotels -- the fastest growing hotel company in San Francisco -- and Nancy Mootz, President of the burgeoning restaurant development group, Mootz and Company Inc., announce their first joint venture slated to open this fall just off Union Square.

The 153-room hotel, currently called The Raphael, and adjoining Mama's restaurant on the corner of Mason and Geary streets, will be refurbished and reconceptualized creating the Maxwell Hotel and Gracie's Restaurant.

The dynamic duo intend to revitalize this classic B boutique hotel and restaurant, which served as a model for the many small Union Square Hotels that followed in the 1980s, and early 1990s. Mootz comments: "Chip and I both appreciate the diverse markets in the Union Square area. We intend to create a theater and shopping district destination for both residents and visitors."

Conley states: "In the Bay Area, Nancy is not only one of the most respected people in the restaurant business, but we both have similar visions and complementary skills. My goal is to create landmarks with soul, hers to develop restaurants with heart. You might say we're a match made in heaven."

Joie de Vivre, with annual hotel revenues of $22 million, was founded in 1987 with the creation of the Phoenix Hotel. Currently the portfolio of properties includes: The Abigail, The Andrews, Archbishop's Mansion, The Commodore, The Jackson Court, The Holiday Lodge, Hotel Rex, The Nob Hill Lambourne and The Wharf Inn.

Mootz & Company Inc. was founded in 1993 by Nancy Mootz. She launched Vertigo Restaurant and Bar in 1995, one of San Francisco's most successful and high-profile restaurants located in the base of the Transamerica Pyramid, and has projects in development in San Francisco, Mill Valley and Sonoma.

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