Sometimes dreams come true. What was once a dream by John Paterakis (of H&S Bakery fame) /Michael Beatty H&S Development Group has very much a proven reality as the Harbor East property continues to help boost the economy and be a hub for business and tourism.

On a gorgeous, rare 70 degree, mid-November morning, in Baltimore, MD, one of the most anticipated happenings took place outside with the Four Seasons Baltimore officially opened its newest gem in its exclusive collection. With the $250 million build-out which includes 256 rooms, a spa and Michael Mina restaurant, Wit and Wisdom, and spectacular accent pieces, art and design detail throughout all now opened for business, the ribbon cutting further places Baltimore into an elite group housing the luxury hotel and resort chain.

In attendance were Mayor Rawlings-Blake, Deputy Mayor Kaliope Parthemos, Council President Young, Michael Beatty, Executive Vice President H&S Properties, Hanan 'Bean' Sibel, Andrew Finklestein, Laurie Schwartz (Waterfront Partnership) , Louis/Nancy Grasmick, the entire Paterakis family and Michael Beatty-H&S Property Group and developer Richard Alter as well as executives at neighboring businesses like Ken Conklin, Jabara/Harbor Magic Hotels, Phillippe Lespagnol, Bozzuto @Harbor East and Kathy-Spinnaker Bay, Bill Struever, SBE&R.

Of special note, I met and spoke intimately with, Katie Taylor, CEO of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, over champagne, coffee and canapes like truffled scrambled eggs in a pastry shell and watermelon with a dollop of goat cheese. She called the Baltimore hotel an "urban resort" giving jobs to what will amount to 300 employees by Spring 2012 when all units are open and running. A Toronto-born lawyer turned corporate CEO, Ms. Taylor started her Four Seasons journey as "one of two person legal team a number of years ago." For those that do not know, the luxury brand, Four Seasons got their start in Toronto back in 1961, 2011 celebrates the companies 50th anniversary.

I was proud to meet another female CEO and asked her was it lonely holding that role. She replied, "Yes, it is". Ms. Taylor was then meeting with her new staff and then traveling to New York City where she would formally receive HOTELIER of The Year by HOTELS Magazine.

The entire Baltimore Four Seasons contingency was relishing the moment. Some notables  are: Executive Chef Oliver Beckert, Anthony Quinn, Restaurant GM, Anthony Quinn, Chef Lambert, Catering Execs, Katie Shannon & Martha Morningstar, Group Sales Managers Amelia Corley and Diana Marowski, various Chefs, servers, And, of course the most capable Director of  Marketing Judith Dumrauf and Hotel General Manager, Julian Carralero. Also a warm welcome to new Concierges Mirama Rojas Reyes and Preston Rooks (Preston hails from Intercontinental Harbor Court Hotel.)

Before all is complete, not only will Baltimore house the Ritz Carlton Residences, but the

Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Baltimore planned for the top floors of the property. Such an addition to the city, will  help redefine the standard of cultured living and personalized service for Baltimore.

Even Mayor Rawlings-Blake noted that the Four Seasons entrance will certainly open the door and bring in more new travelers to Baltimore who would not normally choose the city to visit. Four Seasons is a destination to its most devoted core guest group. People who know Four Seasons know exactly what they are going to get, fantastic service, superb food and a wonderful experience.