Natick, MA Construction is underway on a 5-story Residence Inn by Marriott with event space. National Development and XSS Hotels partnered on the 98,940 s/f hotel. Design-build firm PROCON is the architect and construction manager. The project is located at 1225 Worcester St. off Rte. 9; it is near the Natick Mall and 20 miles from Boston.

The future Residence Inn is part of the Avenu – a 62+ active adult walkable community that includes a 164-unit apartment building with resort-style amenities. The two buildings will occupy a nine-acre parcel of land known as the “triangle,” located on the town’s west side bordering Framingham. The new hotel will also be four miles from Wellesley College ranked by Forbes as one of the top colleges in the U.S.

The Residence Inn by Marriott is an extended-stay accommodation designed for cost-conscious travelers seeking longer than traditional stays. The design features 135 urban king suites with a separate living area, a workspace and a fully-equipped kitchen. PROCON senior associate and the project’s architect Chris Lizotte commented on the decision to design an all-king suites hotel. “This design choice was intended to provide more guest rooms in a dense urban area and still offer the extended-stay room experience for guests of the Residence Inn brand.”

The hotel will also feature a 3,000 s/f event space capable of holding 350 people that will be available by reservation for various special events such as weddings, corporate functions, training, meetings and more. The space flows outside to a second furnished patio area for guests to enjoy. The overall space will subdivide into two smaller areas capable of operating simultaneously for intimate-sized functions. A full-service kitchen and back-of-house corridor will support all of the event spaces. Two boardrooms will also be available to host smaller meetings. There will be exterior parking for 135 vehicles as well as two car-charging stations.

Interior design will be reflected in the reception and lobby area that flows into the lounge and bar with an assortment of seating. The lobby space continues into a complimentary breakfast buffet area with its own dining. Both areas will access an outdoor patio space ideal for the Residence Inn-styled social gatherings and mix n’ mingles. Other amenities include a fitness room, a 24/7 market, guest laundry, complimentary WiFi and a 24-hour business center.

 The upcoming Residence Inn will be the only extended-stay option in town for business travelers, Wellesley College visitors and those who just want to enjoy some shopping at New England’s largest mall. It is expected to be complete by fall 2019.