2 hotels set, McLain goes shopping

Saturday, May 19, 2007

By JOHN PECK

Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com

Developer confirms Courtyard, Springhill then flies to retail show

Architectural plans are in place and the demolition is nearly complete. Now comes an aggressive search for retail tenants for a planned $150 million development at the old Market Square site near downtown Huntsville.

The proposed Constellation would feature two hotels, restaurants, shops, a condominium or apartment tower, office space and plenty of parking across the 18-plus acres that was the site of the 1960s-era Heart of Huntsville mall.

Huntsville commercial developer Scott McLain planned to travel to Las Vegas today for a five-day retail recruiting blitz at an international conference of shopping centers.

"I hope we'll fill up the restaurant outparcels out there. That's what I hope, for starters," McLain said Friday afternoon after a kickoff announcement of the redevelopment plan.

He was referring to three parcels fronting Memorial Parkway that he hopes to fill with trendy restaurants such as Hard Rock Cafe or Cheesecake Factory.

Marriott Courtyard and Springhill Suites, part of the Marriott family, will fill the hotel sites, officials announced Friday. McLain said he's already fielded numerous calls from restaurant prospects and hopes to meet more along with retail and condo developers at the Las Vegas conference.

Mayor Loretta Spencer, City Council members Mark Russell and Glenn Watson and others joined McLain and McLain's business partner, Manu Patel, for Friday's "groundshaking."

McLain had Spencer wave a magician's wand as a cue for two backhoes - one manned by Watson, the council president - to push over the old mall marquee. The photo-op was delayed a few moments for Watson to gain control of his machine.

"I should have practiced a little bit," Watson said as he walked from the toppling of the aging mall sign.

McLain said Constellation will create a more attractive gateway from the Parkway to downtown. He also hopes that it will provide places that will help boost Huntsville's appeal to young professionals.

Beth Martin, a 36-year-old banker involved with the Huntsville Young Professionals organization, likes what McLain has planned. Martin said she might even be interested in a condo if it's affordable and a fit for her, her husband and young daughter.

"I work downtown, so I'd like to live downtown and play downtown. This would be a great combination of the live, work, shop, play philosophy,'' said Martin, retail sales manager for AmSouth Bank.

Huntsville lawyer Breck Robinson, 29, moved to Hunts-ville after spending five years in Los Angeles and a year in Atlanta. Robinson said Constellation will provide even more places for the younger professional crowd: "I think the mixed-use idea is something that is catching on all over."

Robinson guessed that an affordable range for a condo would be about $200,000. If apartments are offered, $500 to $800 for a single bedroom and $1,000 for a double would seem reasonable, he said.

The hotel additions will bring to 1,000 the number of downtown rooms within easy walking distance of the Von Braun Center. Judy Ryals with the Huntsville-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau said the additional rooms will help Huntsville book bigger conventions and events.



2 hotels set, McLain goes shopping Saturday, May 19, 2007 By JOHN PECK Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com Developer confirms Courtyard, Springhill then flies to retail show Architectural plans are in place and the demolition is nearly complete. Now comes an aggressive search for retail tenants for a planned $150 million development at the old Market Square site near downtown Huntsville. The proposed Constellation would feature two hotels, restaurants, shops, a condominium or apartment tower, office space and plenty of parking across the 18-plus acres that was the site of the 1960s-era Heart of Huntsville mall. Huntsville commercial developer Scott McLain planned to travel to Las Vegas today for a five-day retail recruiting blitz at an international conference of shopping centers. "I hope we'll fill up the restaurant outparcels out there. That's what I hope, for starters," McLain said Friday afternoon after a kickoff announcement of the redevelopment plan. He was referring to three parcels fronting Memorial Parkway that he hopes to fill with trendy restaurants such as Hard Rock Cafe or Cheesecake Factory. Marriott Courtyard and Springhill Suites, part of the Marriott family, will fill the hotel sites, officials announced Friday. McLain said he's already fielded numerous calls from restaurant prospects and hopes to meet more along with retail and condo developers at the Las Vegas conference. Mayor Loretta Spencer, City Council members Mark Russell and Glenn Watson and others joined McLain and McLain's business partner, Manu Patel, for Friday's "groundshaking." McLain had Spencer wave a magician's wand as a cue for two backhoes - one manned by Watson, the council president - to push over the old mall marquee. The photo-op was delayed a few moments for Watson to gain control of his machine. "I should have practiced a little bit," Watson said as he walked from the toppling of the aging mall sign. McLain said Constellation will create a more attractive gateway from the Parkway to downtown. He also hopes that it will provide places that will help boost Huntsville's appeal to young professionals. Beth Martin, a 36-year-old banker involved with the Huntsville Young Professionals organization, likes what McLain has planned. Martin said she might even be interested in a condo if it's affordable and a fit for her, her husband and young daughter. "I work downtown, so I'd like to live downtown and play downtown. This would be a great combination of the live, work, shop, play philosophy,'' said Martin, retail sales manager for AmSouth Bank. Huntsville lawyer Breck Robinson, 29, moved to Hunts-ville after spending five years in Los Angeles and a year in Atlanta. Robinson said Constellation will provide even more places for the younger professional crowd: "I think the mixed-use idea is something that is catching on all over." Robinson guessed that an affordable range for a condo would be about $200,000. If apartments are offered, $500 to $800 for a single bedroom and $1,000 for a double would seem reasonable, he said. The hotel additions will bring to 1,000 the number of downtown rooms within easy walking distance of the Von Braun Center. Judy Ryals with the Huntsville-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau said the additional rooms will help Huntsville book bigger conventions and events. © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.