HOUSTON
Progress on Houston’s second convention center hotel has reached new milestones with the completion of the development agreement to build a 1,000-room Marriott Marquis next to the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Ric Campo, chairman of Houston First Corporation, said the agreement between Houston First and RIDA Development Corporation, the hotel developer, has been executed. In addition, Houston First financing in the project has been completed to include funds to acquire the hotel site, build an adjacent parking garage and make related improvements to the convention district.
The documents also authorize the transfer of land for the hotel’s construction from Houston First to RIDA. Geotechnical work on the site is expected to begin within the next two weeks.
“With this agreement, RIDA can now begin work in earnest,” Mayor Parker said. “It’s an exciting project that will help increase our convention business and generate more activity in downtown Houston.”
Construction is slated to begin in 2014, and the projected completion date for the $335 million hotel is spring 2016.
The Marriott Marquis designation is reserved for large convention hotels of iconic design in America’s premier gateway cities. Houston will be the sixth city to fly the Marquis flag after New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, San Diego and Atlanta.
The new convention center hotel will add more than 1,500 construction jobs and 750 permanent jobs to Houston’s hospitality industry. In addition, a new parking garage will add 1,800 spots for hotel patrons and George R. Brown Convention Center visitors. Houston First will soon issue a request for qualifications for a garage developer.
