New downtown hotel slated to make its debut July 6
Atlanta-based Noble Investment Group plans to unveil the Courtyard by Marriott at UAB hotel July 6 in downtown Birmingham. The developer calls it downtown's first new hotel in 15 years.
Noble declines to say how much was invested in the project.
The 122-room, six-story hotel adjoins the UAB Hospital north pavilion parking deck at 1820 5th Avenue South. The deck is linked by a skywalk.
Steven Nicholas, executive vice president of Noble Investment Group, expects the hotel to see strong demand.
"There is certainly a need for a hotel for UAB's staff, visitors, patients and students," Nicholas said in a press release. "The hotel, the closest Marriott hotel to downtown Birmingham, also will be a great downtown location for business and leisure travelers."
Developers also say it will be an ideal location for business meetings, with 2,200 square feet of meeting space. The largest meeting room holds up to 100, and on-site catering will be available. Rooms are designed with business travelers in mind, boasting high-speed Internet access, a large desk and chair and a mini fridge. The hotel also has a fitness center, and guests will have access to UAB's new state-of-the-art recreation center.
The design emphasizes curves and features an open space connecting the lobby, lounge and business centers. "All of the space flows and is complemented with high ceilings, touches of marble, wood, brick and glass," says Richard Duhon, general manager. "The design and functionality is very crisp and modern, and the openness encourages interaction."
A restaurant, with large windows overlooking the sidewalk, will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The 5th Avenue Bistro plans to offer several New Orleans favorites on its menu.
Noble Investment Group describes itself as a national hospitality organization consisting of three wholly owned divisions: Noble Capital Group, which invests in luxury hotels, resorts and convention centers; Noble Development, which builds hospitality-related and mixed-use projects; and Noble Management Group, which focuses on operations.
More than 5,000 hotel rooms are operated by Noble Management, many within the Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and InterContinental Hotels Group.
Noble Investment Group has in the past year started development on or acquired an aggregate of $200 million in projects. Noble Investment Group and its predecessors have developed or acquired assets valued at more than $900 million since 1979.
2005 American City Business Journals Inc.
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Courtyard by Marriot at UAB to open soon
