Announcements

Omni Celebrates Breaking Ground on Boston Seaport Hotel

Executives from Omni Hotels & Resorts along with Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and New Boston Hospitality, broke ground today on the highly anticipated Omni Boston Seaport Hotel. The city"s fourth largest hotel will reflect the rich history of the city of Boston while providing guests with the ultimate Omni experience.

IHG® celebrates first groundbreaking of new midscale brand, avid™ hotels, in Oklahoma City.

The groundbreaking comes only two months after the brand was launched, well ahead of initial projected timing. Since launching avid hotels, developer interest and demand continues to be strong, with more than 100 franchise applications received, including 34 which have already been converted to signed deals for avid hotels locations across the U.S. Additionally, avid hotels is now franchise ready in Canada, further demonstrating the brand"s rapid start and growth potential.

Groundbreaking of Courtyard by Marriott Alpharetta

Hotel Development Partners (HDP) recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Courtyard by Marriott Alpharetta, Georgia, located across the street from Avalon, a high-end shopping mall in the heart of a booming, mixed-use development north of Atlanta. Hotel Equities will manage the 115-room Courtyard by Marriott. Alex Brown Realty, Inc. serves as a joint venture partner with HDP in developing the hotel that is expected to open in late 2018.

Virgin Hotels Nashville Breaks Ground

Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, marks a new milestone as it breaks ground with The Buccini/Pollin Group and BPGS Construction on Virgin Hotels Nashville. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on location on Wednesday, September 20, marks Virgin Hotels" fourth property currently under construction, behind Virgin Hotels New York City, Virgin Hotels Dallas and Virgin Hotels New Orleans. Virgin Hotels Nashville will open its doors in 2019.

Wilkinson Development Breaks Ground on The Elliot Park Hotel

Construction is commencing on the Elliot Park Hotel, a new Marriott® Autograph Collection® luxury full-service hospitality project in downtown Minneapolis, MN. Yakima, WA-based developer, Wilkinson Development, LLC, is proud to be spearheading the Elliot project. Wilkinson Development is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wilkinson Corporation. A symbolic groundbreaking ceremony was held at the project site on Tuesday, August 1, commemorating the partnership of companies and joint venture investors involved in the Elliot"s design and start of construction. Over the last year, Wilkinson Development (WD) has formed partnerships with key industry leaders to bring the vision of the Elliot to fruition. The total hotel project cost is estimated at $50 million. On June 30, 2017, WD closed on the acquisition of the hotel development site and will continue to oversee project construction, with an anticipated opening date in late summer/early fall 2018. The Elliot Park Hotel will be a 168-room, eight-story, full-service hotel in one of Minneapolis" oldest downtown neighborhoods. It will offer over 2,300 square feet of high-end event space and boardrooms, a fireside lounge, fitness center, valet, concierge, and luxury guest rooms. Its central location will provide easy access to the Convention Center and other event venues, like the U.S. Bank Stadium. Tavola, the hotel"s farm-to-table Italian restaurant, will include the warm, inviting feeling and decidedly l ocal brand of hospitality echoed throughout the property. The hotel is part of a larger block redevelopment that includes: the new corporate headquarters of Kraus-Anderson, one of WD"s partners and the project site"s master developer and general contractor; a 17-story residential apartment tower currently underway; a microbrewery; and outdoor common areas and underground parking.

Concord Hospitality Breaks Ground on Beaufort Hotel

Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company, joined by representatives from the Crystal Coast Tourism Authority, broke ground yesterday on the 133-room Beaufort Hotel, an Ascend Hotel Collection®. The property is a joint venture between Concord and Beaufort Hospitality Enterprises. Slated to open in 2018 in a popular tourist destination, those involved with the project expect it to have a significant impact on the region.

Shovels Hit The Ground At Peppers Southbank

Construction on Peppers Southbank, a new $60 million hotel in Melbourne"s vibrant arts and entertainment district, is now underway following a ground-breaking ceremony late last week. Operated by Mantra Group, the 162-room hotel will be the Group"s eleventh property in Melbourne"s CBD. Mantra Group Regional General Manager Doug Flavell said Peppers Southbank will cater to the strong demand for quality short-term accommodation in Melbourne"s inner-ring.  Set to open its doors in early 2019, Peppers Southbank is prominently located on the corner of Clarendon and Haig Streets and will feature 162 full-service hotel rooms across 32 levels, along with a range of amenities including a restaurant and bar, meeting room and gymnasium. The sustainable building will achieve a 5-star energy rating, with the windows designed to meet higher-than-average solar heat gain co-efficient levels, achieving a 6-star NATHERS energy rating.

Groundbreaking of WoodSpring Hotel in Tinley Park, Illinois.

WoodSpring Hotels, the nation"s fastest growing extended-stay hotel company, has partnered with Holladay Properties, a privately held, full-service commercial real estate firm, to develop their third hotel in the Chicago market. This property will be located in Tinley Park, Ill., near the intersection of I-80 and Harlem Avenue. Holladay Properties currently owns two operating WoodSpring Suites hotels in Romeoville and Darien, Ill.

Groundbreaking of Fairfield Inn in Harrisburg, PA

Officials of Shaner Hotels, an award winning, international hotel owner, operator and developer, today announced the groundbreaking of the 120-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Harrisburg. Located at the Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) Airport, the four-story hotel is owned by Shaner Hotels on land leased from the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA), a joint-municipal authority that operates four regional airports. The property will be managed by Shaner and was financed by Kish Bank based in State College, Pa.