ARCHIVED  March 4, 2003

New Embassy Suites hotel planned west of fairgrounds

LOVELAND — The Loveland hotel war has begun.

John Q. Hammons, owner of the University Park Holiday Inn in Fort Collins, has revealed plans to build a $35 million, 250-suite Embassy Suites Hotel and 80,000-square-foot convention center in Loveland. This hotel would be in direct competition and close proximity with a planned 120-room Marriott located on Centerra land at the intersection of Interstate 25 and U.S. Highway 34.

Hammons purchased 20 acres last month at the northwest corner of I-25 and Crossroads Boulevard, just west of the new Larimer County Fairgrounds. The Embassy Suites Hotel-Loveland will be owned by Hammons and will be managed by John Q. Hammons Hotels Inc. (AMEX: JQH).

SPONSORED CONTENT

Business Cares: March 2024

WomenGive, a program of United Way of Larimer County, was started in Larimer County in 2006 as an opportunity for women in our community to come together to help other women.

The convention space available is roughly the size of the Kohl’s retail store in Fort Collins. In comparison, the University Park Holiday Inn has 259 rooms and 18,000 square feet of convention space.

Construction of the hotel and convention center is expected to begin in 2005 with a grand opening in 2006. The new development is the fourth full-service hotel Hammons has built in Colorado.

“I am very bullish about this area,” Hammons said. “It is not a fast growth area — but it is stable growth.”

Hammons said the opening of the new E-470 interchange influenced his decision to build at the location. Hammons was also influenced by potential shopping centers in the area.

“There is future opportunity for more growth in the area. The McWhinney project is a big plus,” he said.

In December, McWhinney Enterprises announced plans for a regional hospital, a lifestyle shopping center and a 120-room hotel and convention center. With the news of the Embassy Suites Hotel-Loveland, the convention center may not be built.

“We still intend to build the Marriott but we will see what happens,´ said Nick Christensen, vice president of real estate for McWhinney Enterprises. “We wish him well and will not do our own, but we will utilize it.”

Loveland City Manager Don Williams is thrilled about the project.

“This is the icing on the cake. This will truly make the region a draw for businesses,” he said. “It is a big step, not just for Loveland but for the entire Northern Colorado region.”

LOVELAND — The Loveland hotel war has begun.

John Q. Hammons, owner of the University Park Holiday Inn in Fort Collins, has revealed plans to build a $35 million, 250-suite Embassy Suites Hotel and 80,000-square-foot convention center in Loveland. This hotel would be in direct competition and close proximity with a planned 120-room Marriott located on Centerra land at the intersection of Interstate 25 and U.S. Highway 34.

Hammons purchased 20 acres last month at the northwest corner of I-25 and Crossroads Boulevard, just west of the new Larimer County Fairgrounds. The Embassy Suites Hotel-Loveland will be owned by Hammons and…

Categories:
Sign up for BizWest Daily Alerts