W Hotels Worldwide, congressman Stephen Lynch, director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, John Palmieri, Sawyer Enterprises, Bovis Lend Lease and Ironworkers Local 7, celebrated the topping off of the new $230 million W Hotel & Residences.
Developed by Sawyer Enterprises, the property features 235 guest rooms and 123 branded, private residences with views of the Boston Common and harbor.
Each guest room at W Boston will feature the latest in modern technology offerings, signature W brand amenities, and the W bed. Additional facilities will include a Sweat Fitness center, W Living Room and 9,800 s/f of meeting space.
"W Boston Hotel & Residences brings a new sense of vibrancy to Boston's theater district," said mayor Thomas Menino. "Sawyer Enterprises has been involved with this project since day one, and their commitment to ensuring the project's completion is realized with today's topping off. Boston is pleased to welcome such a highly respected brand like W to our world-class city."
The topping off ceremony signifies the completion of the development's steel frame and celebrates the hard work of the construction tradesmen. Those affiliated with the project signed a 20-foot steel beam which was then raised to officially "top off" W Boston's steel construction. As is customary with a traditional topping off, the American flag and a pine tree were perched at both ends of the steel beam.   
"Sawyer Enterprises is thrilled for its part in making W Boston Hotel & Residences a reality," said Carol Sawyer Parks, president and CEO of Sawyer Enterprises. "This project highlights the Mayor's commitment to the midtown area of Boston while enhancing the vitality and energy of a neighborhood that is fast becoming the most exciting place to live. Upon its completion, the W will serve as the theater district's cultural hub for residents and visitors alike."
A special highlight at the morning's ceremony was a donation made by Ironworkers Local 7 and matched by Carol Sawyer Parks to the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center. A check for $42,000 was presented to Dr. John Schreiber for the Floating Children's Cancer Center.  
"We at Floating Hospital for Children, and in particular, Floating Children's Cancer Center, are extremely grateful to the members of Ironworkers Local 7, the other unions working on this spectacular addition to Boston's skyline, and to the entire W Boston project team for their generosity," said John Schreiber, MD, chief administrative officer of Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center. "At Floating Hospital, we treat each child like our own, and we are grateful to all those working on this project for being such supportive neighbors."
Also, in recognition of their work on the project, Congressman Lynch presented Ironworkers Local 7 with an American Flag that had flown over the United States Capitol.
Completion is scheduled for 2009.

W Boston Hotel & Residences team includes developers Sawyer Enterprises, general contractor Bovis Lend Lease, development manager Jones Lang LaSalle, architects William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc. and TRO Jung|Brannen, interior designer Bentel & Bentel and the residential sales team of Otis & Ahearn. The hotel will be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.