1982
Hotel is expanded
Keeping pace with the continual growth of the Capital Region, the hotel was enlarged in a $4 million expansion project. The new additions featured 136 more guest rooms, including 20 in the front “mansion” section of the hotel, along with King Street Ballroom and Courtyard, High Street Conference Center, Town Hall Amphitheater, The Lodge, and Health Club. This expansion brought the hotel to the footprint it is today.
It was also at this time that the coffee house restaurant was renovated and became Simpson’s Grille. The original courtyard was also renamed Fort Orange Square, in recognition of the historical Albany area.