Harbert Realty Services Acquires Additional Land for Hotel Development
2/2008
Harbert Realty Services announced today that they will be demolishing the old La Paree property, located on 5th Avenue North adding more space for Birmingham’s new 4–Diamond Marriott Renaissance Hotel. The $52 million luxury hotel will be built in the City Center at 5th Avenue North and 20th Street.
La Paree, a landmark downtown eatery, served its last lunch in December of 2003 after more than 60 years in business, since that time the building has been vacant.
The expansion will allow for a tremendous increase in restaurant and ballroom space for the hotel. The project was originally slated to have 255-rooms but will now have 281-rooms for guests.
The hotel has been touted as setting a new standard for luxury accommodations in the City Center, creating 135 permanent jobs for Birmingham and 300 jobs during construction as well as generating $2.8 million in annual payroll.
Harbert Realty Services President and CEO Harry M. Lynch said the decision to expand the size of the hotel was an easy one. “As we’ve worked to finalize the design of the rooms and the banquet facilities, we’ve seen that having any extra space would be a huge asset to the project,” said Lynch. “The City of Birmingham is excited about the new hotel, and now two empty buildings will be put to good use.”
Last October, Starbucks Coffee announced it would make its home in the hotel.
“We have more exciting announcements to come; this is one project that the residents of Birmingham will have the opportunity to watch unfold and enjoy for years to come,” said Lynch.
Construction on the hotel will begin in the fall of 2008.