Livable Streets Plan
Convention Center Headquarters Hotel


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 See Schematic Design of proposed Hotel

View the estimated timeline for these and other Livable Streets projects

Read the Livable Streets Update for latest news on the hotel, convention center and downtown projects

Explore the search process for the hotel developer

New Convention Center Project Web Site - up to date information on the progress of the project - webcam!

 Current News! Convention Center Hotel Concept
  • November 2006 - Council approves final agreements / cost sharing arrangement with underground parking deck.  Hotel scheduled to begin construction in February 2007.
  • February, 2006 - Site plan approved by City Council. (see design of hotel)
  • October, 2005 - Hotel developers resubmit after revisions.  Planning Commission review for site plan approval scheduled for October 25. 
  • August, 2005 - Hotel developers resubmit plans for site plan approval.
  • February 25, 2005 - Hotel owners to present schematic design to Council on March 15, 2005 at the City Council meeting.
  • December 20, 2004 - City Council approves issuance of COPS financing for hotel public spaces, convention center and underground parking deck.
  • November 16, 2004 - City Council approves 980-space underground parking structure to be built on the site of the existing convention center after demolition.
  • November 3, 2004 - Hotel developers and City staff agree on the form and content of follow-on agreements to the development agreement, related to room block, ground lease, parking, condominium documents, etc.
  • November 2, 2004 - City Council holds parking deck decision until November 16 meeting. See background memo
  • October 14, 2004 - City Council considers 980 space parking structure under hotel site.  More information to be presented at Nov. 2 meeting. See background memo.  
  • August 23, 2004 - Parking structure under the hotel is being considered.  Feasibility to be studied by Kimley-Horn Associates.
  • August 3, 2004 - Follow-on agreement drafts received from developer - in review by City staff
  • May 18, 2004 - Development agreement approved by City Council.
  • March 23, 2004 - City staff meet with Stormont-Noble representatives to work through points of the Development Agreement.
  • March 1, 2004 - Responses sent to developer - second draft in preparation.
  • February 11, 2004 - First draft of Hotel Development Agreement received by City staff.
  • January 20, 2004 - City Council approves Stormont-Noble Development as developers of convention center hotel.
  • January 8, 2004 - Recommendation by City / County administration is to negotiate hotel development agreement with Stormont-Noble Development of Atlanta, GA.  City Council will review draft Memorandum of Understanding January 20.
  • December 30, 2003 - Revised proposals have been received from the three hotel developer candidates.  View these documents on our FTP site, in a folder marked "Revised Hotel Proposals 12-29".
  • December 19, 2003 - Developer candidates have been asked to clarify proposals and provide an addendum explaining the additional costs necessary to bring the hotel project to 450 rooms as recommended in the HVS Business Plan (see executive summary)  Revised proposals due 5 pm Dec. 29.
  • December 11, 2003 - Letter received from fourth hotel developer offering to build a 350-room Embassy Suites for $10 Million public subsidy.  (Other proposals request approx. $20 Million public subsidy to bring a Westin or Marriott to Raleigh).  This developer was sent RFQ in August, but chose not to respond or participate in RFP process.
  • December 8, 2003 - 3 developers respond to Request for Proposals (proposals on file in the City Manager's office).  Joint City / County recommendation to City Council in early January.
  • October 27, 2003 - A Request for Proposals has been distributed to the three remaining developer teams.  The response deadline is Dec. 8.
  • October 8, 2003 - 3 teams have been short-listed by the City Council and will be asked to submit detailed proposals for the development of the convention center headquarters hotel. A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be sent to the tree teams in the next week to two weeks, and proposals from the "short-listed" teams will be due in early December. The City Council hopes to make a decision on the hotel developer early in 2004.
  • September 26, 2003 - 5 teams responded to the Request for Qualifications to become the developer of the headquarters hotel. Interviews have been held September 25 and 26 with the teams.


Conceptual drawing of hotel superimposed on future Raleigh skyline  (More images) 

Background Info:
Without a viable headquarters hotel, a new convention center may not be feasible. A market study has been prepared by a consultant supporting the feasibility of a 450-room prominent hotel in Downtown. The City Council and County Commission asked staff to seek proposals for the development of the hotel. A search for a developer is complete with the selection of Stormont-Noble Development on Jan. 20, 2004.  Stormont proposes to build:

- 400-room 4-star rated Marriott Hotel
- 15,000+ square feet of meeting space
- pool, health spa, restaurants

The City has agreed to provide:

- $20 Million toward the cost of the public spaces in the hotel
- 200 parking spaces at 1/2 market rate
- 200 more spaces available at market rate

(See presentation by Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) on the hotel market and process for choosing a developer - Dec. 11, 2003 (.pdf 360K)

See presentation by Strategic Advisory Group (SAG)..."Why the Gap? Why is public participation necessary for a convention headquarters hotel?