HILTON SIGNS SIGNIA BY HILTON: Hilton has expanded its Signia by Hilton brand portfolio and signed a management agreement for the 800-room Signia by Hilton Indianapolis. The new-build hotel is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in late 2026. Owned by the Capital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County, the hotel will be developed by Kite Realty and managed by Hilton. Once complete, the 40-story hotel will have 800 rooms and provide direct access to the convention center through a skywalk over Capitol Avenue. The hotel will have 90,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 50,000-square-foot ballroom, seven dining options, a Club Signia, spa and fitness center and a pool deck overlooking the city. One of Hilton’s newest brands, Signia by Hilton, launched in 2019 and is expected to open a hotel in Atlanta in January 2024. Currently, Hilton has close to 50 hotels in Indianapolis and a development pipeline of over 10 properties in various stages of design and construction.
HOTEL INDIGO ACHIEVES 150TH MILESTONE: IHG Hotels & Resorts has achieved the milestone of its 150th Hotel Indigo property with the opening of Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park. The hotel marks the launch of the brand in Malaysia. The 180-room hotel overlooks Bukit Nanas and is next to KL Forest Eco Park in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia-headquartered designers GA Group led the hotel’s design. Keeping sustainability in mind, the property’s central staircase has been constructed from old railway sleepers and reinforcement steel bars from the hotel’s site during construction, and an installation has been made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Old bottles have been reused to make feature lights at the hotel, artwork has been created from old books and reception desks have been made from rescued tree roots sourced in Malaysia. The hotel offers multiple dining venues, a fitness center, a library, an outdoor pool and flexible event spaces overlooking the KL Tower. Part of IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, Hotel Indigo currently has 278 hotels open or in the pipeline worldwide.
PLACEMAKR EXPANDS INTO TEXAS: Placemakr, the flexible-use hospitality and multifamily operator, has expanded across the U.S. to launch its first blended apartment hotel in San Antonio, Texas. The Maverick, powered by Placemakr, will transform a single-use multifamily building into a blended experience by offering a home and hostel in the same building. Placemakr has partnered with San Antonio-based developer AREA Real Estate for the project. Located adjacent to Riverwalk and close to The Alamo, the building features 86 apartments, all of which will be fully furnished and suitable for short-, medium and long-term accommodation. The rooms have kitchens and on-floor laundry. The property also has a rooftop penthouse for private events and guest lounges and will soon open a gym. The property will open in early 2024. Placemakr has expanded its internal operations with the appointment of its first COO, Ryan Rickabaugh, who will oversee all commercial and property operations.
STONEBRIDGE COS. ACQUIRES FIVE PROPERTIES: Stonebridge Cos., the Denver-based privately-owned hotel owner and manager, acquired five properties across the U.S. in late November. The portfolio consists of 1,200 keys and includes hotels within the Marriott and Hilton brands. Other terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Stonebridge will undertake renovations of these properties, of which three have already undergone improvements. With this deal, Stonebridge makes a re-entry into the greater Phoenix market with the acquisition of Embassy Suites in Flagstaff, Ariz. and ventures into the North Carolina and Georgia markets with the acquisitions of the Marriott Research Triangle Park in Durham, N.C. and the W Downtown in Atlanta. The other purchased properties include the Embassy Suites in Walnut Creek, Calif., and a full-service Marriott in Bridgewater, N.J. Currently, Stonebridge has a portfolio of more than 14,000 rooms and is looking for expansion opportunities.
AAHOA’S INITIATIVE FOR EMERGING HOTELIERS: AAHOA has launched an initiative to encourage the growth and success of emerging hoteliers within AAHOA and in the industry. HYPE Ownership: Helping Young Professionals will provide a new perspective to the workplace and hospitality businesses, the hotel owners association said in a statement. The initiative will offer educational opportunities and networking events, along with an annual conference for young professionals and hotel industry professionals. The first Young Professionals HYPE Ownership Conference will be held in New Orleans on February 6 and 7, 2024.
