Uptown
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.
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