Starwood`s brand aloft hotels, partnered with Continental 191 Fund LLC to break ground on its first hotel in Illinois. The property is expected to open its doors in early 2008. Chicago is the cultural, financial and business capital of the Midwest and in a typical year, 33 million visitors come to Chicago to enjoy its landmarks, history and people, said Ross Klein, President, Starwood Luxury Brands Group and aloft hotels. With aloft, now they can visit in style. We`re excited to bring a fun new way to play and stay to the Windy City.

Continental Properties is proud to partner with Starwood to bring this exciting new hotel concept to the Chicago marketplace, said Paul Seifert, Chief Legal Officer for Continental Properties Company, Inc. Our company has a reputation of building top-quality, innovative projects throughout the United States, and aloft is a perfect fit. We look forward to opening aloft Chicago O`Hare, and to working with Starwood to bring this unique lodging and lifestyle experience to travelers in other markets, as well.

The first aloft hotels are targeted to open in first quarter, 2008.