Worcester, MA On November 2, state and local officials, business leaders and partners joined with XSS Hotels to celebrate the construction of the AC Hotel by Marriott to be located at 125 Front St. XSS Hotels collaborated with the Manchester based PROCON, who is the designer and construction manager for the 117,000 s/f upscale hotel. Colwen Hotel Management of Portsmouth, NH will provide comprehensive management services for the new hotel.

Shown (fron left) are: Donald Birch, Leggat McCall; Tony Economou, Worcester City Councilor District One; Tim Murray, Worcester Reg. Chamber of Commerce; Mark Stebbins, PROCON and XSS Hotels; Ann Tripp, Opus Investments; Edward Augustus, Jr., city manager; Candy Mero-Carlson, City Councilor District Two; Leo Xarras, XSS Hotels; and Christine Thomas, XSS Hotels.

Expectations ran high, as attendees added their names and best wishes to the steel beam in celebration of the construction project that will be part of the city’s master plan for urban revitalization. The 6-story AC hotel is situated in downtown with access to local shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It is a short walk from Union Station offering train and bus service and is two blocks from the DCU Convention Center.

Mayor Joseph Petty was unable to attend, but he shared his sentiments about the new hotel in a prepared statement. “The CitySquare development and this hotel are at the heart of our plan for revitalizing our city’s core. Even before the construction began we started seeing the positive impact with new restaurants and businesses opening around our downtown. I want to thank XSS hotels, and all of the partners for being part of our vibrant new vision for downtown and for Worcester as a whole.”

Plans call for 170 king suites and double-queen guest rooms to be located on floors two through six of the building. The European-inspired hotel will offer a package of amenities. The design concept includes a fitness center, a yoga room, a 24/7 market, conference center and meeting rooms and a business center. Expansive public space designs feature a bar/lounge area that flows to an outdoor terrace. In addition, the 7,100 s/f function room will include an in-house full-service restaurant with an outdoor patio seating area.

The city is undergoing a renaissance, and the new AC Hotel is part of a series of four high-profile projects that will comprise the CitySquare area, A.K.A., the Grid District. A 365-apartment mixed-use development is already under construction, and numerous street-level retailers and restaurants are expected to arrive within the next two years.

City manager Edward Augustus, Jr. said, “This hotel is another fantastic sign of the vitality and momentum we are seeing downtown and throughout Worcester. This project brings us one step closer to fulfilling the vision of CitySquare. It’s another piece of the puzzle that will fit into place alongside new restaurants, apartments, and high-class office space to help create the 18-hour downtown we’ve all been working towards.”

AC Hotel by Marriott, 125 Front Street - Worcester, MA

The Worcester AC Hotel is rising from the ashes of the demolished Galleria mall and sits atop the city’s recently opened 586-car underground parking garage; that will service the hotel and surrounding buildings. AC Hotel guests will have ample venues for shopping, dining, and entertainment at their fingertips. One of the city’s biggest attractions is the nearby DCU Center that seats 15,000 and has featured such entertainers as Sting, Miranda Lambert, and Kiss. The center hosts a variety of concerts, sporting events, family shows, conventions, tradeshows, and meetings annually.

The momentous beam signing can be summed up in the words of Worcester District 2 City Counselor Candy Mero-Carlson who said, “This is a great day for everyone and we are certainly a city on the move.”

Work began on the site in early October, and structural steel installations are currently in progress. The building is expected to be weathertight by February 2017. The signed beam will be installed towards the end of the structural steel erection, with an expected project completion in late 2017.

Founded in 1998 AC Hotels originated in Spain, was launched in the U.S. in 2013, and is characterized by sleek, innovative aesthetics in a sophisticated setting for the design-conscious traveler. According to Top 10 Hospitality Trends 2015 by Hoteliers Hotel, Travel and Hospitality News, “Exploration, interaction, and experience are the major focus of today’s travelers who are looking for an overall gourmet experience for a reasonable price. They seek a unique experience, and this has, and will continue to drive change within the hospitality market.” 

Colwen Hotels is one of the most successful hotel management companies in northeastern United States. It has provided extraordinary guest services and exceptional value to clients for nearly 20 years. Today, it is one of the largest franchisers of the Marriott brand in the United States. Colwen’s dedicated team of experienced leaders and well-trained associates are committed to continuously exceeding industry expectations. 

XSS Hotels concentrates on developing dynamic, high-quality lodging with strong brand recognition. XSS Hotels has brought to life over 3,000 hotel guest rooms throughout the Northeast. The XSS Hotels’ portfolio serves the full-service, boutique, upscale extended-stay, select service and upper midscale hotel segments that are licensed with Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and Intercontinental Hotel Group. 

PROCON is a single-source, architecture, engineering and construction management firm serving commercial developers throughout the Northeast. The 81-year-old, 3rd generation Company is built on integrity, lasting partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to client success. The Company’s one-stop-shopping approach to design, engineering and construction services means that at PROCON, every solution is just down the hall.