Uptown

The Marketplace is a proposed hotel and entertainment district to be located adjacent to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in downtown Birmingham. The $70 million project would include 303-room Westin Hotel and would be constructed with 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.

The property would be owned by the BJCC and would have space for as many as 20 restaurants, nightclubs, retailers and other tenants. The 10 or 11-story hotel would be operated by Starwood Hotels, which already operates the Sheraton Birmingham and could share a back-office.

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