Hotel and Apartment Projects in the Downtown LR Area

[skirby]

The Holiday Inn Express in the East Village is now open.

From Beechwood Pinnacle Hotels.

[theman]

14 hours ago, skirby said:

The Holiday Inn Express in the East Village is now open.

From Beechwood Pinnacle Hotels.

Passed by it a few nights ago and was a little surprised when I saw it lit up. It’s been a while since I’ve driven 30.

[theman]

The Flats at SoMa, the old VA hospital conversion, plans to open in summer 2024.

[MDC26]

5 hours ago, theman said:

The Flats at SoMa, the old VA hospital conversion, plans to open in summer 2024.

I knew some work had been going on, but didn't know it'd be open so soon.  Glad this is being done.  I don't think its the best name for it, but they get to name it whatever they want.

https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/146889/flats-at-soma-va-hospital-turned-housing-redevelopment-set-to-open-spring-2024

[skirby]

On 3/2/2020 at 2:03 PM, skirby said:

Arkansas Business has an article about hotel development and  talks about the bottom half of the former Lafayette Hotel returning to being a hotel.  With it being just south and across the street from the newly opened AC it just might work out. I don't think much work would have to be done to the lobby for the hotel to open.

Picture from the Lafayette Building website.

 

Looks like this project might be moving forward. The redevelopment will include an 80 room Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel, a cafe, and restaurant  A plumbing permit has been applied  for.

 A January 1st, 1947 menu item from the Coffee Bar at the Lafayette Hotel:

SHOPPERS SPECIAL - Baked Diced Sugar Cured Ham and Macaroni with Cheese Sauce, Two Vegetables, Blackberry Cobbler and Coffee. .50. You could also add an Ice Cold Premium Beer for .27.

That evening you could get 2 Lamb Chops with fried bananas, a fresh shrimp or oyster cocktail, two veggies, pie or  cake or ice cream and coffee or tea for $2.00.

 

[Architect]

6 hours ago, skirby said:

Looks like this project might be moving forward. The redevelopment will include an 80 room Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel, a cafe, and restaurant  A plumbing permit has been applied  for.

 A January 1st, 1947 menu item from the Coffee Bar at the Lafayette Hotel:

SHOPPERS SPECIAL - Baked Diced Sugar Cured Ham and Macaroni with Cheese Sauce, Two Vegetables, Blackberry Cobbler and Coffee. .50. You could also add an Ice Cold Premium Beer for .27.

That evening you could get 2 Lamb Chops with fried bananas, a fresh shrimp or oyster cocktail, two veggies, pie or  cake or ice cream and coffee or tea for $2.00.

 

EXCELLENT news!!!  I was fearful since it had been so long since its announcement, that it wasn't going to happen.  This is going to make for a fantastic hotel!  More great news for Main Street.

[theman]

Who’s doing the redevelopment? That what be a great addition to Main St.  Wonder if the Boyle Building redevelopment helped push this along?

[Architect]

On 1/6/2024 at 2:01 AM, theman said:

Who’s doing the redevelopment? That what be a great addition to Main St.  Wonder if the Boyle Building redevelopment helped push this along?

Good point about Boyle being a catalyst for moving forward.

[MDC26]

On 1/5/2024 at 2:55 PM, skirby said:

Looks like this project might be moving forward. The redevelopment will include an 80 room Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel, a cafe, and restaurant  A plumbing permit has been applied  for.

 A January 1st, 1947 menu item from the Coffee Bar at the Lafayette Hotel:

SHOPPERS SPECIAL - Baked Diced Sugar Cured Ham and Macaroni with Cheese Sauce, Two Vegetables, Blackberry Cobbler and Coffee. .50. You could also add an Ice Cold Premium Beer for .27.

That evening you could get 2 Lamb Chops with fried bananas, a fresh shrimp or oyster cocktail, two veggies, pie or  cake or ice cream and coffee or tea for $2.00.

 

Beautiful lobby, and great news.  Has this building been empty?  Would make a nice apartment/condo building too if the hotel thing doesn't work out.

[Architect]

4 hours ago, MDC26 said:

Beautiful lobby, and great news.  Has this building been empty?  Would make a nice apartment/condo building too if the hotel thing doesn't work out.

No, it's not empty.  I know the upper floors are condos.  I believe the hotel is planned on the lower 4-5 floors, though I'm not sure what currently occupies that space.

[theman]

Arkansas Money and Politics had a little more about the Lafayette Hotel project.

https://armoneyandpolitics.com/hotel-lafayette-building/

[skirby]

The permitting process is in the works to renovate the closed Hotel Frederica on Capitol Ave, into a Fairfield Inn.

[Architect]

57 minutes ago, skirby said:

The permitting process is in the works to renovate the closed Hotel Frederica on Capitol Ave, into a Fairfield Inn.

Good news.  "Fairfield Inn" doesn't give me warm and fuzzies, but it's certainly better than a boarded up building as it sits now.

[theman]

Agreed. I was near the site last week and saw that is was boarded up. A Fairfield Inn isn’t that exciting but it’s better than the alternative. Hopefully because it will be part of chain there won’t be a quick turnover.

[skirby]

On 1/5/2024 at 2:55 PM, skirby said:

Looks like this project might be moving forward. The redevelopment will include an 80 room Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel, a cafe, and restaurant  A plumbing permit has been applied  for.

 A January 1st, 1947 menu item from the Coffee Bar at the Lafayette Hotel:

SHOPPERS SPECIAL - Baked Diced Sugar Cured Ham and Macaroni with Cheese Sauce, Two Vegetables, Blackberry Cobbler and Coffee. .50. You could also add an Ice Cold Premium Beer for .27.

That evening you could get 2 Lamb Chops with fried bananas, a fresh shrimp or oyster cocktail, two veggies, pie or  cake or ice cream and coffee or tea for $2.00.

 

The building permit has now been issued.