Marriott International expects to sign 50 hotel deals that will involve modular construction by its approved vendors, underscoring the growing appeal of prefabrication, the company told 1,300 North American hotel owners and developers attending its Select Brand owners’ meeting.
“Marriott sees construction as the next frontier for innovation, and we’re ready to help our owners understand and take advantage of the opportunities that transformation can bring,” said Eric Jacobs, Marriott’s chief development officer, Select Brands, North America. “Modular construction can save owners valuable time over traditional methods, while also improving quality.”
The company launched its modular initiative in 2015 and owners’ interest so far has exceeded company expectations, Jacobs said.
Goal: 50 modular hotel projects this year
If the company achieves its goal of signing 50 modular projects this year, it will represent about 13% of all Select Brand signings for North America for the year.
So far, the company has one open hotel produced with modular construction – the 97-room Folsom Fairfield Inn & Suites in Folsom, California. Each unit contained two fully outfitted rooms, including bed and toilet, with a connecting corridor. Marriott said the hotel opened two months ahead of time.
Two of Marriott’s modular projects underway are set to open in the second quarter: the Courtyard Pullman, Washington, and the AC in Oklahoma City; two others are expected to open in the third quarter: the AC Louisville Kentucky and AC Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
“By leveraging Marriott’s size and scale, Marriott and our hotel development partners can help the U.S. modular construction industry mature faster,” said Karim Khalifa, Marriott senior vice president, Global Design Strategies. “We’re thrilled to help innovate in this space at a time when labor shortages can be a challenge to timely openings.”