Indianapolis Hotel Project Starts
-- Tradeshow Week, 6/16/2008
After three years of planning, ground broke May 29 on the 7-acre, $425 million JW Marriott Indianapolis development in downtown Indianapolis. The four-hotel, 1,623-room complex is expected to anchor Indianapolis' $3.25 billion convention and tourism industry.
The development will be home to the city's largest, full-service convention hotel. Along with the JW Marriott Indianapolis' 1,005 rooms, the complex will include the 294-room Indianapolis Courtyard by Marriott Downtown, the 168-room Indianapolis Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Downtown and the 156-room Indianapolis SpringHill Suites by Marriott Downtown.
“This is one of the largest Marriott developments in the country,” said J.W. Marriott Jr., chairman and CEO of Marriott Intl. “The commitment from Indianapolis leaders to grow the hospitality and tourism industry has created an environment for the JW brand to be the centerpiece of an unprecedented development that will serve countless guests and visitors in this vibrant downtown area.”
The complex encompasses more than 105,000 square feet of meeting, banquet and exhibit space, as well as a 40,000 sq. ft. ballroom, one of Marriott's largest.
“It's very exciting. This is going to be wonderful for Indianapolis,” said Roger Harvey, vice president of Bose Public Affairs Group, which represents White Lodging, the project's developer. Harvey added that the development will be crucial for hosting the 2012 Super Bowl and future NCAA events.
The Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites and SpringHill Suites are expected to open in February 2010, with the JW Marriott Indianapolis planned for February 2011.
“This is a signature hotel development for White Lodging,” said Bruce W. White, White Lodging's president and CEO. “I am proud to be a part of shaping the downtown skyline on property our company has owned for more than 20 years.”
