Uptown

2010 rendering of The Marketplace

2011 rendering of The Marketplace

The Marketplace is a planned hotel and entertainment district to be located adjacent to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in downtown Birmingham. The $70 million project is being developed by National Ventures Group LLC of Atlanta, Georgia with $57 million in public bonds issued by the BJCC authority and backed by an extension of the city's existing 14% lodging tax, with no additional incentives from the city. In October 2010 the Birmingham City Council approved a measure to extend the city's 3% lodging tax for 30 years to help fund the project.

The project is set to include 303-room Westin Hotel and space for as many as 20 restaurants, nightclubs, retailers and other tenants. The 10 or 11-story hotel would be owned and operated by the BJCC through its existing contract with Starwood Hotels, operator of the Sheraton Birmingham. The two hotels would share a back-office.

The architect for the project is Rabun Rasche Rector & Reece of Atlanta in association with Birmingham's NGH Group. Brasfield & Gorrie was announced as lead contractor, along with minority-owned partners A. G. Gaston Construction and Monumental Construction. At Bell's suggestion, the design of the hotel was tweaked to provide more of what he termed a "wow factor". Ground was broken on January 24, 2011. The developer hopes to open the hotel in 2012. The project is being designed to qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification as recognized by the U. S. Green Building Council

See also

• The Forge, an unbuilt proposal for the same site

References

• DeButts, Jimmy (March 26, 2010) "Lodging tax extension eyed to spur entertainment district." Birmingham Business Journal
• Tomberlin, Michael (May 2, 2010) "$70 million hotel, retail plan proposed near Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex." Birmingham News
• Bryant, Joseph D. (May 10, 2010) "Birmingham Mayor William Bell to unveil hotel, retail BJCC plans." Birmingham News
• Bryant, Joseph D. (June 9, 2010) "Developer shows new sketches of proposed Westin Hotel." Birmingham News
• Bryant, Joseph D. (October 19, 2010) "Birmingham City Council approves hotel funding, gives initial approval on stadium." Birmingham News
• Williams, Roy L. (January 5, 2011) "Contractors named for Birmingham entertainment district hotel." Birmingham News
• Williams, Roy L. (January 23, 2011) "New hotel design adds 'wow' factor to Westin." Birmingham News
• Stewart, Sherrel (January 24, 2011) "Stage set for groundbreaking for hotel, entertainment center." Birmingham News
• Bryant, Joseph D. (April 6, 2011) "Mayor William Bell: Westin Hotel project will pursue 'green' status." Birmingham News