Concord Hospitality and Kane Realty Corporation Break Ground on One of the First AC Hotels in the United States in North Hills, Raleigh, N.C.
RALEIGH, N.C. (December 15, 2015) – Dennis Edwards, President & CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, joined government, economic development and tourism officials today to help break ground on North Carolina’s first AC Hotel by Marriott at North Hills in Midtown Raleigh.
Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company and Kane Realty Corporation will build the new 135-room hotel, AC Hotel by Marriott Raleigh/North Hills, which is slated to open in first quarter of 2017. The hotel is among just 30 AC Hotels opening under the new flag in the next three years, representing Raleigh’s rise as a tourism destination.
“2014 was a record-setting year for tourism, with more than 14 million people visiting the Raleigh area, an eight percent increase over 2013,” said Edwards. “Smart, passionate locals like Concord Hospitality and Kane Realty have helped transform Raleigh into a modern lifestyle and business destination that is a perfect fit for AC Hotels.”
Marriott has approved longtime partner Concord Hospitality to open four additional AC Hotels in New York, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Columbus, OH; and Orlando, FL. Concord Hospitality has partnered with Marriott International on the development of new hotel brands for the last two decades. That alignment for strategic growth and passion for delivering best in class service is represented in Concord’s achievement of winning the coveted Marriott Partnership Circle Award 10 times and this year, was inducted into Marriott’s Partnership Circle Hall of Fame for hospitality excellence.
Concord Hospitality and Kane Realty have worked together on multiple projects since 2008, including the Renaissance Raleigh and Hyatt House hotels, both located in North Hills. North Hills, Kane Realty’s premier redevelopment, is Raleigh’s innovative mixed-use community, that includes high-end boutiques, well-known department stores, the Triangle’s best dining and a year-round calendar of entertainment.
“To have AC Hotels in the Triangle is very exciting,” said John Kane, CEO of Kane Realty Corporation. “This new hotel enriches our shared vision with Concord, to create irresistible places within vibrant communities, and we believe it will be very successful here in North Hills.”
“While we have developed many hotels during the past 30 years, it is a special privilege to team with friends and respected colleagues from Marriott and Kane Realty to bring the AC Hotels vision to life in our own backyard,” said Mark Laport, co-founder, president and CEO of Concord Hospitality.
“AC Hotel by Marriott is an emerging lifestyle brand in the U.S. and appeals to design-conscious travelers that also want an experiential stay when traveling,” said Kevin McAteer, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Concord. “These travelers prefer urban and metro locations that provide guests easy, walkable access to arts and entertainment, restaurants, shops and galleries, as is the case with Raleigh’s popular North Hills district.”
Started in 1998 by Spanish hotelier Antonio Catalan whose initials inspired the brand name, AC Hotels celebrate the beauty of classic, modern design. Distinctive public spaces immerse guests in timeless European design, featuring furnishings and décor in a neutral color palette with thoughtfully selected modern artifacts and decorative elements.
The AC Hotel Raleigh/North Hills will include an energetic public space featuring a rooftop bar and terrace that will encourage an engaging atmosphere for guests to share and connect with signature cocktails, local craft beers, specialty wines and a curated selection of tapas-style small bites in the AC Lounge. The AC Kitchen offers a European-inspired Continental menu, with artisan sliced meats and cheeses, selection of pastries, sweet and savory egg tarts, and signature freshly baked all-butter croissants.
About AC Hotels by Marriott
AC Hotels by Marriott AC Hotels by Marriott is a lifestyle brand within the Marriott International global portfolio of 19 brands. AC Hotels currently offers a portfolio of more than 75 select service hotels throughout Spain, Italy, Portugal, Denmark and France, along with Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Kansas City and Chicago in the United States. Growth plans for the brand include the opening of its next North American location in Boston this year, as well as more than 50 additional hotels set to open within the next three years throughout the U.S. and Latin America. Facebook: facebook.com/achotels Twitter: @achotels
About Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company
As an award-winning hotel development, ownership and management company, Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company has spent the last three decades partnering with owners and its investors on more than $1 billion in premium branded properties across the United States and Canada. As an operator, both for third party owners and partners, Concord Hospitality instills value from the ground up, developing and managing with a sustainable viewpoint, a focus on quality and a hands-on involvement to ensure long-term profitability. Learn more at concordhotels.com.
About Kane Realty Corporation
Kane Realty Corporation (KRC) is a full service real estate development and management company focused on office, retail, multi-family and mixed-use properties of the highest quality. Based in Raleigh, NC since 1978, KRC is dedicated to the goal of creating irresistible places where people will naturally want to gather. Through meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of the property from design and construction management to leasing and property management, Kane’s mission is to build places that improve the quality of life of their businesses, their employees, residents and visitors. For more information, please visit KaneRealtyCorp.com.
About North Hills
Live, work, shop, dine, and play at North Hills. This innovative, multi-faceted district offers many options to live and stay a while— with four-star hotel rooms, Park and Market Apartments, Midtown Green Apartments, and The Alexan. Parks and many gathering spaces offer plenty of fresh air, while conveniences such as dry cleaning, banks, and a pharmacy are just a leisurely stroll away. Quality-of-life amenities are also at your fingertips, such as renewing spas, salons, and a state-of-the-art 60,000 square foot gym. Entertainment venues, such as a 14-screen cinema, Kings Bowl, World of Beer and the new Midtown Park, are right next door. Premier dining establishments, high-end boutiques, department stores, and cafés are all a few steps in any direction. For more information, please visit VisitNorthHills.com.