A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday for an approximately $25 million downtown hotel across from the SNHU Arena.

Work is underway at the Residence Inn by Marriott at 40 Lake Ave., which is expected to employ 50 when completed in spring 2020.

The four-story hotel will feature 123 guests rooms, salt water pool, fitness center and an outdoor patio with a fire pit, grill and al fresco seating.