AUSTIN | JW Marriott Convention Center Hotel | 408 FT | 34 Floors | Complete

[LoneStarMike]

Financing secured, 'all systems are go' for downtown Austin convention hotel
By Shonda Novak
American-Statesman Staff

White Lodging Services Corp. has financing in place for its $275 million, 33-story upscale convention hotel planned along Congress Avenue and is preparing for a June launch for the project.

A top company executive provided new details about the project — one of largest developments in downtown Austin's history — in an exclusive interview with the American-Statesman.

On June 15, crews are expected to start work to relocate underground utilities at the site on Congress Avenue between Second and Third streets, said Deno Yiankes, president and CEO of investments and development for White Lodging, a hotel development, ownership and management company based in Merrillville, Ind.

White Lodging is aiming for an Aug. 1 start for construction on a three-story underground parking garage with 458 spaces that will take nine to 10 months to build, followed by construction of the hotel, a JW Marriott with 1,012 rooms, up from 1,003 previously planned.

HKS Architects

[Austinite101]

I'm very excited about this one! I see they added rooms and even a few more stories. Id say this brings the height to around 450ft. Very very pleased with this project!

[LoneStarMike]

The latest rendering that we've all seen - but a huge version of it.

From an article at KUT News.

[KevinFromTexas]

I'm actually a little bummed that they did away with the north wing of the building. The last version of it with the wing sort of had a dynamic look to it. I'm happy with this design, too, of course.

[Jdawgboy]

Im hoping they did away with it but then again maybe its still there but is not shown from that angle, it was only around 10 floors.

[Spaceman]

Manchester had better start making some noise or I will be suspicious of their actual intent to proceed on their hotel.

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by Spaceman

Manchester had better start making some noise or I will be suspicious of their actual intent to proceed on their hotel.

I'm sure they would love to buld their hotel, but financing a second 1,000 room hotel,even in a prosperous city like Austin, might be a tough sell right now. More will be revealed.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by austlar1

I'm sure they would love to buld their hotel, but financing a second 1,000 room hotel,even in a prosperous city like Austin, might be a tough sell right now. More will be revealed.

They already have financing.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

They already have financing.

I don't think they have all of the financing. I have never seen that claim substantiated. Previous quotes from the developers indicate that they are confident about the financing, but that's always the case with developers. They also said they would seek the same incentives from the city that White Lodging got for the Marriott. If their construction timetable is correct, they should be seeking those now or already. All that said I'm still very confident that the hotel will be built.

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

They already have financing.

Maybe. They made statements similar to the ones WHite Lodging made prior to making the OFFICIAL announcement that financing is in place. They have not provided details or set a real start date.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

Im hoping they did away with it but then again maybe its still there but is not shown from that angle, it was only around 10 floors.

It was pretty tall actually. That Youtube video someone posted showed it to be about 300 feet tall. It was about as high as 301 Congress.

[JoninATX]

Another view of the hotel from The Austonian.



http://impactnews.com/articles/jw-marriott-moving

[MightyYoda]

That article says it already has 19000 rooms reserved and it's 3 years away from opening. That should be all that is needed to secure any financing for a second convention hotel. Almost 20000 rooms and it hasn't even started being built yet show insane demand for more hotel space. I also like the small side tower as a backdrop to the older buildings that were kept on the block. Gives some dimension to the project. This one really came a long way from something dreaded to something we can all be excited about.

[Jdawgboy]

I had a feeling that the side tower was still there unless thats just the way the front of the tower will look on the north end. It really is a bit hard to tell from that rendering because there is no depth perception.

[SeanB]

Ground will be broken soon: utilities in June and construction in August, corroborating the story posted by LoneStarMike. The food trucks on site must leave by June 10th.

Originally Posted by Vicky Garza, Austin Business Journal

Six food trucks parked at Congress Avenue and Second Street in downtown Austin have been told it’s time to unhitch and move out as construction for a JW Marriott hotel is set to begin this summer.

Originally Posted by Vicky Garza, Austin Business Journal

Utility relocation will start in June, with building expected to begin in August. Construction is expected to take two years and generate 2,500 jobs.

[Jdawgboy]

They have started the reconstruction of 2nd street east of Congress on the Eastbound side.

[GoldenBoot]

Website is up and running:

JW Marriott Austin

[KevinFromTexas]

The building model that was brought to city hall for their rezoning presentation.


Photo by Greg


Photo by Greg

[Jdawgboy]

I saw tonight while I was out they were putting up barriers and fencing. Only have the corner of Brazos and Second started but looks like in a couple of days should have the whole area closed in.

[migol24]

whodathunk that one of the most hated, despised and ugly projects turned out to be one of the most beautiful ones!