NATIONAL REPORT—Hotel projects are heating up the South. Here’s a closer look at the recent developments in Florida, Texas and Tennessee:
Blue Water Acquires, Renovates Daytona Beach Property
Blue Water Development has acquired and begun renovations on the Comfort Inn & Suites, Daytona Beach Oceanfront. Formerly The Mayan Inn, the hotel will reopen in early 2020 following an interior and exterior renovation. This is the company’s first property in Florida and brings its total number of hotels to 10. The 112-room hotel will have an oceanfront pool, sun deck, meeting space and event space. Blue Water has hired more than 75 local construction workers to carry out the renovations and will provide at least 20 full-time jobs to the area when the hotel reopens.
Kimpton Sets Sights on Key West, FL
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has a new hotel collection in historic Key West, FL, slated to open its doors in early 2020. Kimpton Key West will be the sixth property for the company in the Sunshine State and its first in the Florida Keys. The collection will comprise five separate hotels. Owned and developed by KHP Capital Partners with Powerstrip Studio at the design helm, the new Kimpton Key West has 219 keys with locally influenced design.
Historic Hilton in the Works in Texas
A full-service convention Hilton property returns to downtown Abilene, TX, in late 2021. From 1927-1945, Abilene’s Hilton Hotel was only the second in the country to bear that name. Fast forward 76 years, Abilene prepares to welcome the new DoubleTree by Hilton. Developed by Garfield Public/Private LLC, the process is expected to take six to nine months, with the hotel opening projected for late 2021. The hotel will have 206 guestrooms, a full-service restaurant, bar and lounge, and 38,700 sq. ft. of public meeting space.
Construction Begins in Chattanooga, TN
CBL Properties and Vision Hospitality Group Inc. have begun construction on the 135-room Aloft by Marriott in Chattanooga, TN, as part of the Sears redevelopment project at Hamilton Place. The new hotel marks the brand’s entrance into the Chattanooga market. The new development accompanies Vision’s Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Huntsville Downtown, which recently broke ground.
