Hotel opening in overhaul of South Bend's tallest building

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - A major step in the overhaul for South Bend's tallest building is coming with the opening of a 183-room hotel in the tower.

The 25-story downtown building formerly known as Chase Tower has been undergoing an extensive renovation since New York-based Washington Square Realty took it over in 2014 after years of financial troubles.

The new Aloft hotel is scheduled to open Wednesday as part of the $40 million tower renovation announced two years ago. Building management firm Bradley Co. says the building is now being called Liberty Tower.

Bradley vice president Michael Zink tells the South Bend Tribune that construction will start this winter on about 90 new apartments in what was the tower's office space. Those could open late next year, followed by renovation of ground-floor retail space.

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Information from: South Bend Tribune, http://www.southbendtribune.com