African American Company Breaks Ground for Largest Hotel in Nation’s Capital

Norm Jenkins, president of Capstone Development, LLC and Board Member of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD) broke ground on November 10 for the new $540 million, 1,175 room Marriott Marquis headquarters hotel. It is being developed adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Marriott, Washington, DC

The hotel will include over 100KSF of meeting space, six food and beverage outlets, 400 parking spaces and will include an underground pedestrian connection to the convention center.

Here are a few of the project highlights:

• $540M public/private partnership

• 1175-rooms

• 110,000SF of meeting and banquet space

• 6 Food and Beverage outlets

• 400 onsite parking spaces

• LEED Certified building

• 1 of 3 Marriott Marquis properties in the world

• First Marquis development in 25+ years

• Significant job creation (construction and permanent) for local residents

This highly anticipated deal will be one of the most significant hotel transactions of 2010, and after its 42-month construction period, will be the largest hotel in Washington. The Marriott Marquis also promises to make its mark on the local economy by creating new jobs for DC residents. The project is also expected to spur other redevelopment projects for the continued economic revitalization of the historic Shaw neighborhood, which the Convention Center calls home.