Construction begins on Allen's new 90,000-sq.-ft. Delta Hotels and Convention Center

"This hotel and convention center will make Allen a true destination in the state of Texas and the nation," said the city's mayor, Stephen Terrell, at the groundbreaking celebration on Tuesday. "You have the shopping and dining at Watters Creek across the street, but there's also many more options for shopping, dining and entertainment that are easily accessible throughout the city. This will allow people to have somewhere unique to come stay and enjoy Allen."

The project will include 300 deluxe guest rooms, a six-story parking garage with 1,000 spaces and 90,000 square feet of flexible convention, ballroom and meeting space. The hotel will be operated by Benchmark Hospitality, as a Delta Hotels by Marriott. Delta Hotels is a rapidly growing premium full-service brand within Marriott, known for its upscale modern appeal and distinct style of simple made perfect.

The Allen location will be the first ever in the United States that is built by the brand from the ground up.

"We are very excited about this partnership and Delta's expansion into Allen," says Gregory Durrer, global brand leader for Delta Hotels by Marriott. "Allen is a growing city and the services and amenities that we bring will be a perfect fit for convention center visitors as well as locals."

The hotel will include a fitness center, swimming pool, indoor and outdoor dining options and is perfectly located in walking distance to nearby shopping and dining options.  "We're looking into local partnerships with well-known culinary chefs to offer a unique food and beverage experience," Durrer added.

The large size of the convention center, paired with the hotel space, is a great match, he says. "We know that people will be coming to the convention center for business or sports programs, and we hope that they'll consider staying a few extra days to take in the city. Local residents are of course, also welcomed and are sure to enjoy this new addition to the vibrant area." 

The $91 million hotel and convention center is being funded jointly by the city of Allen, the Allen Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) and the Allen Community Development Corporation (CDC). It's being built by Dallas-based Altera Development, along with Peinado and Crossland construction companies. Funding is being provided by IBC Bank. 

"This project really is the model of the new wave of public/private partnerships," says Mike Kennedy, a partner in Altera Development. "We already know that Allen is great at booking business. They have a lot going on, as well as an active Convention and Visitors Bureau, well-managed growth and a cost that's slightly lower than most nearby cities. This new project is just going to add to all that."

Planning for a convention center/hotel in Allen has been in the works for at least eight years, with the project gaining the most traction in the past three years, city officials have said. "Over that time, we've had to go back to the drawing board several times," explains Dan Bowman, Executive Director of the Allen Economic Development Cooperation.  "However, each time we've come back with something larger and more enhanced. It's because of that patience and the vision of our mayor and previous councils that we're able to offer the project we have today."

The hotel and conference center will serve as the cornerstone of the Watters Creek Office Park, an area that includes one billion square feet of office space. Construction has already begun on the first phase of a key building in the park, One Bethany at Watters Creek, which is expected to open in the first quarter of 2018.

About Altera Development
Founded in 2002, Altera Development creates high value real estate solutions for its investors and partners. Altera acquires, develops and manages properties in select markets across the United States, with integrity and value as guiding principles. Altera's integrated project management and development teams provides the capability to deliver hospitality, corporate office, industrial and retail developments. www.alteradevco.com

About Allen Economic Development Corporation
The Allen Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is funded through a citywide half-cent sales tax and charged with facilitating company relocations and assisting the expansion of existing businesses, which creates jobs and generates additional tax revenue to the community. Today, Allen's total ad valorem tax base exceeds $8.5 billion. Recently, the AEDC was instrumental in recruiting KONE Elevators, MonkeySports and CVE Technology to locate offices in Allen. https://AllenEDC.com/

About Allen Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Allen Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is tasked with marketing Allen as a destination for conventions, events and tourism. ACVB has been instrumental in bringing meetings and events to Allen. Due in part to their efforts, spending on travel in Allen has increased from $40 million in 2002 to $151 million in 2013. http://www.visitAllenTexas.com

About Allen Community Development Corporation
The Allen Community Development Corporation (ACDC) is funded through a citywide half-cent sales tax and is charged with overseeing the funding for land, buildings, equipment and improvements which are suitable for professional and amateur athletics, entertainment and tourism, parks and public spaces, transportation and other projects which promote new or expanded business enterprises.

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,400 properties in 87 countries and territories.  Marriott International reported revenues of more than $14 billion in fiscal year 2015. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.  

About BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, is a trailblazer in the development, management, marketing and owner-advisory services of resorts, hotels, conference centers and exclusive private clubs. In addition to the company's iconic Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio, the Gemstone Collection is a distinctive luxury portfolio of independent hotels & resorts in highly preferred destinations.  BENCHMARK'S distinguished and proven reputation is deeply-rooted in core values that are focused and aligned with exceeding ownership and stakeholder performance expectations. The combined portfolios feature nearly 70 unique and distinctive properties domestically and internationally. The company leadership and valued employees are passionately committed to delivering the industry's most authentic, enchanted, soulful, vibrant, unrivaled and memory-making experience.  BENCHMARK'S progressive "Be The Difference" culture and values are a cornerstone to the company's nearly 40 years of extraordinary achievement and prosperity. Many properties have been recognized with the Benchmark Conference Centers® mark of meeting excellence.  BENCHMARK, a global hospitality company, is based in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, and has regional offices in Park City, Utah; Miami, Florida; New Brunswick, New Jersey; Seattle Washington; and Tokyo, Japan. www.benchmarkglobalhospitality.com

SOURCE Allen Economic Development Corporation

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