VEDC welcomes guests to Grand Gardner Hotel at night celebrating connection, progress, and community

The Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation (VEDC) welcomed sponsors, investors, business leaders, and community partners to the newly opened Grand Gardner Hotel for an evening that celebrated far more than the opening of the beautiful boutique hotel. The reception highlighted the power of thoughtful economic development and the lasting impact that visionary investment can have on a community.

Standing just steps from downtown Valparaiso, the Grand Gardner Hotel is a remarkable example of honoring the past while investing in the future. The project carefully preserves and restores the historic 1899 Gardner School building that was most recently home to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana while seamlessly blending modern architecture, luxury accommodations, and boutique amenities into one of Northwest Indiana’s newest landmark destinations.

Guests attending the reception experienced firsthand the craftsmanship and attention to detail that define the property. Original architectural elements have been thoughtfully preserved throughout the hotel, creating a space where history and hospitality exist side by side. From its inviting gathering spaces and beautifully appointed guest rooms to its rooftop amenities, meeting spaces, and distinctive design features, every corner reflects a vision to create something truly unique while respecting the building’s remarkable legacy.

For the VEDC, the evening reflected one of the organization’s core missions: helping bring transformative projects to Valparaiso that strengthen the local economy, preserve the city’s character, and enhance the quality of place that makes the city such a desirable destination to live, work, and visit.

The Grand Gardner Hotel represents exactly the type of catalytic investment that the VEDC strives to attract. The Urschel family’s commitment to restoring one of Valparaiso’s most recognizable historic buildings has created far more than a hotel. It has transformed an important piece of the city’s history into a vibrant gathering place that will welcome visitors, support local businesses, host meetings and celebrations, and continue building momentum for downtown Valparaiso for generations to come.

Throughout the evening, attendees explored the restored property while connecting with fellow business and community leaders whose partnerships continue to shape Valparaiso’s future. The reception served as a reminder that successful economic development happens when visionary private investment is matched by a community committed to creating an environment where projects like this can thrive.

“The Grand Gardner Hotel represents the very best of economic development — preserving our community’s history while creating new opportunities for growth,” said Vanessa Lynch, VEDC. “When a company with roots as deep as Urschel’s chooses to reinvest in Valparaiso, it demonstrates a profound commitment to the community that helped shape its success. The Grand Gardner is a powerful example of what can happen when local leaders invest in the future while honoring the past. This project will have a lasting impact on our local economy, tourism, and quality of place for generations to come.”

As guests gathered throughout the evening, it was clear the Grand Gardner Hotel is more than Valparaiso’s newest hotel, it is a symbol of what is possible when a community embraces its history while boldly investing in its future. Through the collaboration of the Urschel family, the City of Valparaiso, the VEDC, and countless partners who helped bring the vision to life, the Grand Gardner now stands as a destination that will welcome visitors from around the world while reminding residents that preserving the past can be one of the most powerful ways to build the future.

Ready to book your stay? Visit the hotel’s website to check availability.

Visit valpoedc.com to learn more about the Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation and the exciting projects happening in Valpo.