Hampton Inn unveils downtown's first new hotel since 2009
Concert-goers and sports fans have a new place to crash within a stone's throw of First Avenue, Target Field and Target Center.
Hampton Inn & Suites held a grand opening Thursday of what is the first new hotel in downtown Minneapolis since 2009.
"The industry was in tough shape after 2008. The economy has recovered. Business travel and vacations are up," said Bob Solfelt, vice president of the hotel's developer, Mortenson Development.
The 211-room, limited-service hotel officially opened April 17. It was built on what had been a surface parking lot at First Avenue and Ninth Street. The hotel re-connects the western edge of the skyway system and links guests directly into Target Center — that link had been there before, but was closed off by the hotel's construction.
The nine-story building was designed to blend into the adjacent 800 Pence Building, said Mark Swenson, president of Minneapolis-based Elness Swenson Graham Architects.
"It's not the typical Hampton Inn people are used to seeing in the suburbs," he said. "Oftentimes branded hotels have a particular look and in the suburbs they tend to be similar. But downtown they relate to what's going on in the neighborhood."
Mortenson, in partnership with insurance company AIG, is planning to break ground around June 1 on another hotel project at 401 Hennepin Ave. That will be an AC Hotel by Marriott.
"We're finding partners that want to put flags into the community," Solfelt said. "It's a very good time to be developing hospitality products."
Summit Hotel Properties of Austin, Tex. bought the hotel earlier this month for $39 million. Interstate Hotels & Resorts is managing the property; Hampton Inn is a brand owned by Hilton Worldwide.
Dustin Pinkerton is the general manager. He was most recently general manager of Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis.
Morgan Cook is the director of sales. He previously had the same position at Crowne Plaza Bloomington and Hotel Lincoln in Chicago.
Reported by: bizjournals.com
Hampton Inn & Suites held a grand opening Thursday of what is the first new hotel in downtown Minneapolis since 2009.
"The industry was in tough shape after 2008. The economy has recovered. Business travel and vacations are up," said Bob Solfelt, vice president of the hotel's developer, Mortenson Development.
The 211-room, limited-service hotel officially opened April 17. It was built on what had been a surface parking lot at First Avenue and Ninth Street. The hotel re-connects the western edge of the skyway system and links guests directly into Target Center — that link had been there before, but was closed off by the hotel's construction.
The nine-story building was designed to blend into the adjacent 800 Pence Building, said Mark Swenson, president of Minneapolis-based Elness Swenson Graham Architects.
"It's not the typical Hampton Inn people are used to seeing in the suburbs," he said. "Oftentimes branded hotels have a particular look and in the suburbs they tend to be similar. But downtown they relate to what's going on in the neighborhood."
Mortenson, in partnership with insurance company AIG, is planning to break ground around June 1 on another hotel project at 401 Hennepin Ave. That will be an AC Hotel by Marriott.
"We're finding partners that want to put flags into the community," Solfelt said. "It's a very good time to be developing hospitality products."
Summit Hotel Properties of Austin, Tex. bought the hotel earlier this month for $39 million. Interstate Hotels & Resorts is managing the property; Hampton Inn is a brand owned by Hilton Worldwide.
Dustin Pinkerton is the general manager. He was most recently general manager of Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis.
Morgan Cook is the director of sales. He previously had the same position at Crowne Plaza Bloomington and Hotel Lincoln in Chicago.
Reported by: bizjournals.com
