Donald Trump says his hotel project inside the Old Post Office Pavilion is two years ahead of schedule and that he plans to land on Pennsylvania Avenue one way or another. See photos of what the hotel will look like plus the media storm that followed Trump during a rare visit to the nation's capital.
Donald Trump’s company won the lease from the General Services Administration to renovate the Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue.
(WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
An artist’s rendering of one of 263 luxury suites inside the hotel. The hotel did not make any completed suites available for photos.
(WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
Donald Trump spoke briefly about the hotel design before moving to questions about his campaign.
(WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
An artist’s rendering of the atrium, where Donald Trump says many architectural features are “landmarked” and could not be changed.
(WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
An artist’s rendering of the meeting space. The signature restaurant will be BLT Prime, a contemporary steakhouse, according to the hotel website.
(WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
A view of the skylight above the atrium that will serve as the hotel’s lobby.
(WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
Showing the press into the uncompleted ballroom, Donald Trump was surrounded by reporters who had questions about the campaign and the Old Post Office Pavilion redevelopment.
(WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
The view of Pennsylvania Avenue from the hotel’s ballroom entrance.
(WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
Plans for the hotel that Donald Trump says will among the “greatest in the world.”
(WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
Many who commute to and live in Downtown D.C. have grown used to seeing this bright blue sign outside the Old Post Office Pavilion, which is currently being renovated and slated to become a Trump International Hotel.
(WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event in the atrium of the Old Post Office Pavilion, soon to be a Trump International Hotel, Monday, March 21, 2016, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump waves to supporters after a campaign event at the Old Post Office Pavilion, soon to be a Trump International Hotel, Monday, March 21, 2016 in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump listens to a reporter’s question during a tour of the Old Post Office Pavilion, soon to be a Trump International Hotel, Monday, March 21, 2016 in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, center, is surrounded by the media after a tour of the Old Post Office Pavilion, soon to be a Trump International Hotel, Monday, March 21, 2016, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event in the atrium of the Old Post Office Pavilion, soon to be a Trump International Hotel, Monday, March 21, 2016, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event in the atrium of the Old Post Office Pavilion, soon to be a Trump International Hotel, Monday, March 21, 2016, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event in the atrium of the Old Post Office Pavilion, soon to be a Trump International Hotel, Monday, March 21, 2016, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
WASHINGTON — Taking a break from campaigning, Donald Trump checked in on his $200 million investment he says is ahead of schedule: The new Trump International Hotel in the Old Post Office building is set to open this fall.
“We’re two years ahead of schedule. We’re going to be opening in September,” Trump said at a news conference held inside what will be the hotel’s lobby.
As Trump updated a crush of local and national reporters on the state of his newest hotel, he said he’ll land on Pennsylvania Avenue one way or another — a nod to his GOP bid for the White House.
“We’re going to employ substantially more than 500 people, and we’re getting them largely from the area,” he says, including the chefs for the BLT Prime restaurant that will be inside the hotel.
Below the 263 hotel suites, the ballroom will be the largest in the area. But much of the structure couldn’t be changed because of the historic status of the building.
“For instance the windows, which are landmarked; much of the building is landmarked. The walls going up are landmarked, the struts above your head, it’s all a very strong landmark situation,” Trump said, referencing the architectural details in the hotel’s atrium lobby.
He says 1,000 construction workers will reshape the historic hotel with its 4-feet-deep granite walls.
“I think once it’s completed you’ll be very proud of it. It’s a great thing for the country. It’s a great thing for Washington,” he says.
Trump stopped by the hotel project amid campaigning in Washington. He was slated to address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee at the Verizon Center Monday evening.
