Seattle-based Columbia Hospitality Inc. to Manage 25,000-Square-Foot Club and Towers Hospitality Services

SEATTLE May 14, 2007 LEXAS Companies, developer of ESCALA luxury condominiums in downtown Seattle, today announced plans to build a 25,000-square-foot, members-only club in the heart of the city. Seattle-based Columbia Hospitality, Inc., will operate and manage Club Cielo, which will encompass the entire second floor of the 30-story ESCALA tower.

In addition, Columbia Hospitality will provide building management services for the residences at ESCALA, including private in-residence dining, private chef services, concierge service, building maintenance and parking.

We will be opening the finest private club in the city, so we looked to Seattles premier hospitality company Columbia Hospitality, said John Midby, principal of LEXAS Companies, which is developing ESCALA.

Columbia Hospitality operates and manages a number of high-profile venues on the West Coast, including Seattles Bell Harbor International Conference Center, World Trade Center Seattle, The Inn at Langley on Whidbey Island and Kenwood Inn and Spa in Sonoma Valley, Calif.

There is no other hospitality concept like this in Seattle, said Columbia Hospitality chief operating officer Bret Matteson. Well be providing incredible world-class exclusive services to ESCALAs residents. Were very excited to partner with LEXAS Companies to bring this unique concept to life.

Club Cielo

Cielo means sky in Spanish will feature private dining rooms as well as a restaurant, a one-of-a-kind expansive events center, a health club with two resistance pools and treatment rooms for spa services, a private theater that can also be used for gatherings and an outdoor garden terrace with multiple fireplaces.

The clubs most innovative feature is its wine cave, where members can host parties adjacent to their private wine collections. Located deep below the main club, Club Cielos subterranean wine cave will be the place where residents and other club members can entertain up to 20 people next to their personal wine collections. Were excited to be the first club in the city to offer this unique amenity, Midby said.

ESCALA Tower

The ESCALA Condominium project is currently under construction at Fourth Avenue and Virginia Street. A grand staircase will ascend from ESCALAs dramatic lobby to Club Cielo, which will be open to ESCALA homeowners as well as a limited number of private and corporate members.

Midby said the inspiration for Club Cielo is a mid-20th-century supper club a place where those in the know can find five-star indulgence.

As Seattles first new private club in decades, Club Cielo will be the only facility in the city within a residential tower. The $350-million ESCALA, which will have 275 grand homes, is scheduled to open in 2009.

Club Cielo will be a lively place that will also have quiet spaces, said Midby. Were creating a private hideaway with sought-after service, a place where residents can stop by for a nightcap and say hello to friends and neighbors. Members can also take advantage of their comprehensive fitness club with state-of-the-art equipment and a spa. Its all there.

The addition of a private social club is ESCALAs latest innovation. ESCALA already has a relationship with PONCHO, which supports local artists. The association is working with LEXAS Companies on the placement of art in ESCALAs common areas.

ESCALAs appreciation for fine aesthetics is reflected in its design and architecture. The residences, which range in size from 950 square feet to more than 3,000 square feet, will introduce Manhattan-style living to Seattle, with dedicated elevators. Elevator cabs will open onto private or semi-private foyers.

LEXAS Companies decided to locate all parking below grade to allow for a grand entry off of Fourth Avenue.

Were delivering the citys most elegant in-city address so were looking for new ways to add value, such as Club Cielo, said Midby.

More information about buying a residence or joining Club Cielo is available at Escala Seattle.

About LEXAS CompaniesSeattle-based LEXAS Companies, developer of ESCALA, focuses on creating exceptional residential/mixed-use projects nationally, including high-rise and multifamily projects. LEXAS is led by Joseph Strobele, a former senior executive of Legacy Partners. While at Legacy, Strobele developed some of the highest profile projects in Seattle, including The Olympus, a luxurious apartment community one block from the citys waterfront.

Seattle-based LEXAS Companies, developer of ESCALA, focuses on creating exceptional residential/mixed-use projects nationally, including high-rise and multifamily projects. LEXAS is led by Joseph Strobele, a former senior executive of Legacy Partners. While at Legacy, Strobele developed some of the highest profile projects in Seattle, including The Olympus, a luxurious apartment community one block from the citys waterfront.LEXAS Companies is an affiliate of The Midby Companies, a Las Vegas-based multifaceted real estate development group. Midby Companies is led by John H. Midby, a principal of LEXAS Companies who is highly regarded in the industry. The Midby Companies has extensive experience in residential and award-winning commercial projects as well as large master-planned community development and hospitality projects. During the late 70s and early 80s, The Midby Companies owned one of the largest residential homebuilders in the country. LEXAS Companies focuses on developing sustainable projects that support both growth and investment in the region, and is currently working to develop several real estate projects in the Seattle area.

About Columbia Hospitality, Inc.

Columbia Hospitality Inc., a leading hospitality management and consulting firm, was founded in 1995 by John Oppenheimer. Columbia Hospitality creates exceptional experiences for guests and employees while achieving phenomenal results for its property owners. Specializing in luxury hotel and resort management, Columbia Hospitality expertly transforms each vision for a unique property into an enduring and profitable business. Columbia Hospitalitys premier properties include boutique hotels and secluded resorts such as the following:

-Kenwood Inn and Spa in Sonomas Valley of the Moon in Kenwood, Calif.
-The Inn at Langley on Whidbey Island, Wash.
-Friday Harbor House on San Juan Island, Wash.
-Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes, also on San Juan Island
-Darnells Lake Resort on Lake Chelan, Wash.
-Holmes Harbor Golf & Beach Club on Whidbey Island, Wash.

The company also manages a portfolio of conference centers and event venues in Washington state, including the following:

-Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle
-Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside
-World Trade Center Seattle
-Washington Mutual Leadership Center at Cedarbrook in SeaTac, Wash.
-Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center in Seattle (catering and events only)
-Pier 30 Event Center in Seattle
-Talaris Conference Center in Seattle

The company additionally supports an active consulting division that has worked on more than 50 hospitality development projects in five Western U.S. states and Canada.

Escala Media Contacts:

Lily Eng or Marc Stiles, Nyhus Communications LLC for ESCALA, (206) 323-3733; lily@nyhus.com or marc@nyhus.com