CityCentre at Big Spring - 6 stories 125 room AC Hotel, retail/restaurant, residential - $100 million

[timmay143]

Starting a thread for this development.  Hopefully, I will get everything straight!

I believe the total development is at $100 million with a hotel, retail and restaurant space, office space(?), and some residential.  The first phase is well underway with the 6 story AC Marriott Hotel topped out.  It seems this project was proposed back in 2015 but was delayed until 2017.  I will try to construct a timeline of what has taken place and straighten out the details of what exactly is being or planned on being built here.  The site was the former Holiday Inn hotel and fronts William Street across from Big Spring Park near downtown Huntsville.  The site is also bordered by Monroe Street to the West and Lowery Boulevard to the East.  The site sits near the Von Braun Center, a multi-purpose indoor arena, meeting, and performing arts complex, the Huntsville Museum of Art, Twickenham Square - a mixed-use development near Huntsville Hospital, and Big Spring Park.

Here is an update from August 9, 2018 (constructionequipmentguide.com):
 

Quote

 

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/ac-hotel-will-bring-energy-to-rocket-citys-downtown/41494

AC Hotel Will Bring Energy to Rocket City's Downtown
THU AUGUST 09, 2018 - NATIONAL EDITION 
CINDY RILEY – CEG CORRESPONDENT

A $100 million, mixed-use development in Huntsville, Ala., is finally becoming a reality. The long-delayed project, known as CityCentre at Big Spring, will include 30,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurant space, surrounded by upscale apartment homes and a 125-key AC Hotel that opens later this year.

The economic impact of the development is expected to be significant. CityCentre will reportedly provide hundreds of jobs and is considered a significant addition to the Rocket City's downtown community.

As grading continues throughout the property, the focus for now is on the new hotel that's inching closer to completion.

Quote from the article of Max Grelier, co-founder of RCP Companies:

“The six-level AC Hotel will serve the magnitude of tourists that want to stay in an international acclaimed hotel brand. Guests visiting Huntsville will be able to engage with the locals at The Gemini Kitchen + Cocktail and the second-story terrace Veranda Bar. The Gemini will be an approachable polished-casual restaurant for those looking for an affordable, quality dining experience.”

“The delays last year were due to an internal impact study by Marriott, which determined the property will not pose an unfair competitive advantage over other Marriott brands in the city. Since then, construction has been proactive, with the topping off of the hotel this quarter making for an exciting celebration. We are looking forward to construction completion and engaging the community with the openings later this year.”

The hotel was the 10th signed U.S. location for AC Hotels, a global joint venture with Spanish hotelier Antonio Catalan. Yedla Management Company, which owns and operates Starwood, Marriott and Hilton franchises, will run the property.

“The hotel will be customized for Huntsville and will result in the delivery of a special experience that resonates with the local market and embodies a unique personality within the brand. Guests can look forward to modern rooms, an AC Lounge area, kitchen with self-serve European fare, Wi-Fi everywhere, mobile check-in and check-out and a 24-hour fitness center.”

With construction commencing this fall, Phase II will include 280 units of multi-family residential, retail and office space, and an artisanal food hall. Pre-leasing for the residential units will be available starting late spring 2019. Grelier said the development's appeal is undeniable.

Owner of the property is City Centre I LLC. The architect is HC Architecture of Atlanta. Batson-Cook Company serves as the general contractor for the new hotel.

Mobilization of the site and deep foundations began at the end of July 2017.The structure, the exterior framing, sheathing and membrane barrier, roof, interior framing and MEP rough-in are 75 percent finished. Work on the exterior skin, the brick and windows is nearing completion. EIFS and metal panels have recently begun.

Construction of the hotel is set for completion in November 2018.

 

[timmay143]

Photos I took on a walk Sunday October 28, 2018.

Walking on Monroe St. towards BSP (Big Spring Park).  VBC (Von Braun Center) on left, Embassy Suites in the center, and AC Marriott on the right.

Further towards BSP on Monroe.

Further towards BSP on Monroe looking towards the east on the "backside" of the AC.  Not sure exactly what all will be back here, but from what I can tell from earlier site plans a parking deck and food hall along an extension of Lowe Avenue to terminate near here at Monroe St. and Embassy Suites.

Looking north on Monroe St. towards Big Spring Park and downtown with the AC Marriott Hotel on the right.

Approaching the Monroe St. and Williams Avenue intersection.

Monroe St. and Williams Avenue intersection looking down Williams Avenue as it wraps along the south side of BSP.

Looking back to the "front" of the AC.

[KJHburg]

Here is my photo of the AC by Marriott hotel from last week.  and the Von Braun center. 

[timmay143]

Some history about the project.  This post by AL.com back on January 28, 2015.

Quote

https://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2015/01/demolition_begins_at_vacant_ho.html

Demolition begins at Holiday Inn in downtown Huntsville to make way for new project

 

A summary from the article:

• The 270 room Holiday Inn (before 2005 it was a Hilton) had a 40 year history (apparently Elvis Presley was once a guest?) and closed in 2013.
• Phase I: estimated cost of $70 million to feature a new-to-market boutique hotel (now know it is a AC Marriott), parking deck, 30,000 square feet of restaurants and retail stores, 53,000 square feet of office loft space and 200 multi-family apartments.  Was scheduled to break ground in April of 2015.
• Phase II: estimated cost of $30 million 130-key urban hotel (I think it is a confirmed Residence Inn by Marriott?) and 50,000 square feet of mixed-commercial and office loft space

 

Some shots from the article:

 

An aerial overlooking Big Spring Park in the center

 

 

 

[smeagolsfree]

Lots happening here for sure. I will be in Madison county Friday but probably will not able to get into town this trip. Family thing.

[timmay143]

A continuation from my previous post.  For some reason, this was not showing up.

Close-up of the demo of the Holiday Inn:

[timmay143]

Looks like the AC Hotel is getting ready to open up.  According to the article, the AC Hotel is beginning to accept reservations anticipating a Spring 2019 opening.  

News article by Paul Gattis at AL.com: https://www.al.com/news/2019/01/new-ac-hotel-in-downtown-huntsville-now-booking-rooms.html

Quote

New AC Hotel in downtown Huntsville now booking rooms

Updated Jan 11; Posted Jan 10

By Paul Gattis | [email protected]

.....

The six-level hotel will include 120 rooms as well as an AC Lounge, AC Library, co-working space, event space and three meeting rooms named after the city’s historic mills—Lincoln, Lowe and Merrimack.

.....

The hotel will be anchored by Atlanta chef and restaurateur Marc Taft’s new restaurant—The Gemini Kitchen + Cocktails, which is set to open in the fall, according to the announcement. Gemini will be an “approachable polished-casual restaurant for those looking for an affordable, quality dining experience.”