A sleek, modern design is coming to Hillsborough Street.
N.C. State is partnering with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide to build a 135-room hotel complex across from the Bell Tower. The hotel will feature the ultra-modern sleek design that is the hallmark of the Aloft brand.
This will be the third Aloft hotel in the Triangle, and it will occupy the site between Enterprise Street and Maiden Lane. Currently, the location is owned by Schoolkids Records and Sadlack’s Heroes. Both businesses will relocate to other areas.
The hotel ’s style will modernize the look of the current location.
“They specialize in boutique hotels that are appropriate for this market,” said Jeff Murison, the executive director of the Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation, “I think the addition of a hotel is a great new facility and asset on the street. This is a new revenue stream for our merchants, plus a beautiful facility and a great anchor tenant across the street from the University.”
Murison said he is excited about the business the hotel will bring to Hillsborough Street. The project is moving smoothly.
“It is another step forward for the street as we continue to see it being redeveloped and becoming a real destination in Raleigh,” Murison said.
According to Murison, the building will feature modern, glass contemporary design combined with traditional brick to link the Hillsborough Street brand with that of the University.
Ralph Recchie, the N.C. State Director of Real Estate, said the hotel’s second floor will feature a lobby with a bar and balcony that overlooks the Bell Tower.
Demolition of the building may start as soon as February or March, according to Recchie. Starwood plans to open the hotel no later than August 2015.
“Having a boutique hotel on Hillsborough sounds really exciting and will definitely draw a lot of attention to our town,” said Andrea O’Connell, a freshman in elementary education.
The hotel will feature art from Thomas Sayre, creator of the Shimmer Wall at the Raleigh Convention Center. Murison said Sayre was chosen because his work is well-regarded in Raleigh.
“I think it would be a very cool option for students from other colleges to stay at when they visit friends at State,” said Erin Jones, a junior in criminology. “I question whether adults would want to stay right next to a college campus, but the new shopping sounds like a great idea.”