New Castle Hotels and Resorts and RHS unveil new-build hotels; 78-room Residence Inn/102-room Courtyard by Marriot

Officials of New Castle Hotels and Resorts, a leading hotel owner, operator and developer, and RHS Holdings, LLC, a prominent, Syracuse-based real estate development firm, unveiled the first new-build hotels in downtown Syracuse in more than five decades with the official ribbon cutting of the new Courtyard by Marriott/Residence Inn Syracuse Downtown at Armory Square. The combination hotel, a 78- room Residence Inn and 102-room Courtyard by Marriot constructed under one roof, is located in the heart of the city's historic Armory Square district and anchors the Connective Corridor that links downtown with Syracuse University. The hotels also mark the return of Marriott brands to downtown Syracuse. The $30 million project is the largest, non-office building, new construction project in downtown Syracuse in more than 25 years. "We are proud to be a part of the continued revitalization of Downtown Syracuse and Armory Square," said Richard Sykes, vice president of RHS Holdings, and partner in the hotel ownership group, The Inns at Armory Square, LLC. "We're thrilled to be part of the wave of economic development downtown with guests expected to bring in more than $18 million a year to the local economy." "I am excited to welcome the Inns at Armory Square to Downtown Syracuse," said Syracuse mayor Stephanie Miner. "This expansive new hotel is a welcome addition to the variety of offerings in this neighborhood. I'd like to commend Marriott and the developer, RHS Holdings, for their hard work, forward thinking, and commitment to revitalizing this neighborhood. On behalf of the City of Syracuse, I am proud to open this facility and bring these new visitors to downtown." "Armory Square is one of the great urban redevelopment stories in the country, and the only thing it was missing was the right hotel products," said Gerry Chase, president and chief operating officer of New Castle Hotels and Resorts. "The sister hotel concept is popular in tight urban areas because it allows the hotels to offer more services and accommodate both extended stay and transient guests. This hotel will serve the needs of family and alumni visiting the university and extended stay guests like the performers playing at the nearby theater, visiting professors and professionals working with the surrounding offices. This combination of hotels and the power of the popular Marriott brands strikes just the right balance for this part of Syracuse." Armory Square is a six- block planned city center boasting office and residential buildings and a thriving commercial/entertainment scene with more than two dozen bars and restaurants, the Museum of Science and Technology, the historic Landmark Theater and 20-plus stores, salons and boutiques. The university's College of Visual and Performing Arts also is located at Armory Square. Courtyard by Marriott/Residence Inn Syracuse Downtown at Armory Square offers valet parking, complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel and features a shared lobby, pool and 1,400 square feet of meeting space. The Bistro, a casual dining concept featuring flexible seating, quick, freshly prepared breakfast, light bites and cocktails, is a signature feature of the Courtyard by Marriott brand, along with the popular Go Board, a 55-inch touch screen offering local news, weather, flight information and more. Guests of the Residence Inn will be treated to the brand's complimentary, daily breakfast and mid-week social gatherings, all designed to provide a sense of community for guests away from home.