Sheraton party features Shula

The National Football League's winningest coach, along with Philadelphia's new mayor, will speak tonight at the Sheraton University City Hotel's grand re-opening celebration. Don Shula, who compiled a 347-173-6 career record in the NFL, and John Street will both be on hand in the hotel's newly constructed Palmaire Ballroom for tonight's unveiling of the Sheraton's three-year, $5.5 million renovations. Included in the renovations was the addition of Shula's Steak 2, a sports restaurant and bar franchised by the longtime Miami Dolphins coach. Shula's Steak 2 opened its doors two years ago in a building adjacent to the hotel, a site that formerly housed the Smart Alex restaurant. In addition to opening the popular restaurant and bar, the Sheraton -- which is located on 36th and Chestnut streets -- also renovated all 374 of its guest rooms and constructed two new rooms: an Executive Boardroom for small meetings and the Palmaire Ballroom for larger banquet-style events. Additionally the Sheraton added five businesses within the hotel: The Pulse Business/Copy Center, Enterprise Car Rental, the Computer Connection, Rose's Florist and Something Special Gift Shop. The University, which bought the Sheraton for $15 million in 1996, financed the three-year renovation project. "The renovations were way overdue," said Ken Kapikian, general manager of the Sheraton. "Luckily for us, the the ownership of the University allowed us to upgrade the property." The primary upgrade involved bringing in a branch of the Shula's steakhouse franchise. Part of the impetus for opening a Shula's branch in Philadelphia was the piece of history the City of Brotherly Love shared with the Hall of Fame coach. Shula broke George Halas' record of 324 career victories in 1993 when his team, the Miami Dolphins, defeated the Philadelphia Eagles. A football from that game hangs in the University City restaurant, along with more than 500 other pieces of memorabilia. The Dolphins coach, who retired in 1995 with 328 regular-season victories, opened the first Shula's Steakhouse in his hometown of Miami Lakes, Fla., nearly 12 years ago. The University City branch -- which opened its doors on September 28, 1998 -- was his 12th steakhouse. "[Shula's Steak 2] is a big addition to University City and the campus," Kapikian said. Shula coached for 33 years in the NFL with the Dolphins and Baltimore Colts. The 70-year-old coach led his team to the playoffs 20 times and compiled a career winning percentage of .665. He guided Miami to the only undefeated season by an NFL team, when the Dolphins went 17-0 in 1972 and beat the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII. Shula and Street are scheduled to speak at 6 p.m. Kapikian expects between 400 and 500 people to attend the invite-only banquet.

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