As we announced last month, a brand new Omni Hotel will be built across the street from the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC).
The Omni, which already operates the smaller Parker House in Boston, will be the largest hotel in the South Boston Waterfront District and will connect to the BCEC via pedestrian walkway. Expected to open in early 2021, the project is set to cost $550 million and will significantly boost the number of hotel rooms (1,054 guest rooms & suites) located directly in the surrounding neighborhood of the BCEC. At 800,000 square feet and with two towers, the hotel will also include over 100,000 square feet of meeting space.
This substantial increase in hotel inventory in the South Boston Waterfront neighborhood greatly enhances the citywide hotel package for BCEC conventions, making it more convenient and cost-effective for attendees and exhibitors to travel to and from the BCEC.
This week, state and hotel officials gathered on the hotel property’s future site for a groundbreaking ceremony. Governor Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, local US and state representatives, Massport’s CEO, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority’s executive director, and Omni Hotels & Resorts’ CEO were all in attendance.
Mayor Marty Walsh spoke about the diversity and inclusion that will be built into the development. A first for Massport, the request for proposals for the project included criteria focusing on diversity and inclusion in all aspects, from financing, design, to the overall team makeup. Both minority-owned and women-owned businesses are featured throughout the project. Omni is working with a local development team comprised of Davis Cos. and the Taylor Smith Group, hotelier Robin Brown, and a number of minority investors (plus Spot On Ventures and Boston Urban Development – a local women-owned business).
Additionally, six local nonprofit organizations will receive a portion of the hotel’s profits. These organizations include Edgerley Family South Boston Clubhouse of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester, South Boston Health Center, Ladies Involved in Putting a Stop to Inner-City Killing (LIPSTICK), Julie’s Family Learning Program, and the Building Pathways New Boston Hospitality.
David Gibbons, Executive Director, MCCA noted that the addition of the new hotel will allow the convention centers to have multiple conventions going on in Boston at the same time across both of our facilities, the BCEC and the Hynes Convention Center, a win for all. He also noted increased inquiries and bookings for future conventions due to the announcement of the planned hotel.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker told the audience: “This project is just one testament to Massachusetts’ leadership and competitiveness in the global innovation economy and tourism, attracting businesses and visitors from around the world. As state, community, and private partners work collaboratively to advance this development, we look forward to the job opportunities and benefits it will deliver to the neighborhood, Commonwealth, and region.”
Jim Caldwell, CEO of Omni Hotels & Resorts, stated: “Our goal is to help continue the transformation of South Boston’s Waterfront District, as there has already been significant development over the last several years. We do not take a cookie-cutter approach to our development, and our new hotel will be designed to be a focal point and reflective of Boston and the Waterfront District. Once the hotel is completed, we are confident that the city of Boston and the state of Massachusetts will be proud to call it their own.”
The new hotel will feature several culinary options, retail space, and amenities such as a luxury spa, an elevated pool deck, an ice skating rink, and a fitness center.
To learn more about this exciting new addition to Boston’s hotel package, please contact your Signature Boston Sales Manager or email Sales@SignatureBoston.com.
Sources: