For the first time in years South Bend’s tallest building is back in business.

The former Chase Tower has a new name and a new purpose in life.

The Aloft Hotel opened at the Liberty Tower this afternoon.

“So right now we’re occupying the nine floors of guest rooms, above us will become upscale apartments that will come later this year, those are being worked on by ownership, so that will follow sometime next year,’ said Aloft South Bend Sales and Marketing Director Becky Fletcher.

The hotel has 187 rooms spread across nine floors—the highest room is on the 17th floor. The rooms have nine foot ceilings and 50 inch TV’s and something perhaps only hotel rooms in the city’s tallest building can have. “That's the most spectacular thing we have to offer in this hotel is the views,” said Fletcher.

On the sixth floor there’s a pool and some meeting space.

In the first floor lobby you’ll find bright colors, high ceilings, and dangling light fixtures. “Aloft as a brand is different by design, sassy, savvy space is our motto. So that’s what the lobby’s all about. You’re going to walk in and check in, you’re really going to walk into a great big living room, very casual space, perfect for conversations after dinner or after work cocktails, meetings with friends and there’s a pool table down there,” said Fletcher. “We’re designed to keep the guest out of the guest room, engaged in the community, you know feel the vibrance of downtown and all that will happen down in that space.”

For Fletcher the project is satisfying professionally and personally. She is a born and raised South Bend resident who took the Aloft job about six months ago. “There's a lot of blood sweat and tears in this building in making sure the ownership groups and their team and the local contractors involved in that all went above and beyond to make sure that this is a very sound building,” said Fletcher. “It’s fantastic, its outstanding to be a part of the entire revitalization of downtown. Born and raised here and to see it transform even in the last three to five years, I think the sky's the limit.”

The hotel does have a few rooms left as the football weekend approaches.

Meantime, the lounge is open to the public for drinks as well as bar bites and appetizers. While the hotel does not have a full service kitchen, it will have live music or a disc jockey every Tuesday night.

Because of the grand opening, Aloft will feature live music on Wednesday and Thursday nights as well.