New Bedford, MA South Coast Improvement Company (SCI) began construction on a 68-room hotel on Union St.

The Columbus Group, a private investment firm, is the developer for the $10 million project. The project entails converting the vacant 46,600 s/f building at 218-226 Union St. into a 68-room hotel, 3,300 s/f restaurant and 5,100 s/f banquet space. The hotel will be part of the Choice Hotels chain.

South Coast Improvement’s initial work will consist of gutting the five-story building, which formerly housed the radio station WSBM. The work will also include complete electrical throughout the facility.

The hotel marks the second major project South Coast Improvement has undertaken in the waterfront area in New Bedford. Earlier this year, South Coast Improvement finished work on the Moby Dick Brewery, a 4,300 s/f brewery/eatery located at the intersections of Union and Water St. across from the New Bedford Whaling Museum in the city’s historic district. 

“We’ve had a great working relationship with the city of New Bedford over the years and have enjoyed working on new projects like the Moby Dick Brewery and now with the Columbus Group on this hotel. We’re also working on the Co-Creative Center with Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE),” said Tom Quinlan, president of South Coast Improvement Co. “It is exciting to be a part of the regeneration of the area with these projects. Our company’s earliest roots are in New Bedford and we have more than a vested interest in bringing a first-class hotel to the waterfront.”

The Columbus Group anticipates the opening of the hotel to take place in 2019.