RENTON, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SECO Development will break ground tomorrow, October 1, on the site of a four-star hotel and convention center on the South end of Lake Washington. The luxury hotel will have 12 stories recognizing the nearby Seattle Seahawks and the 12th Man. The Hotel at Southport is the third stage of a multi-phase development which includes residences and retail at The Bristol at Southport and The Bristol at Southport Phase II. Between construction and operations, the project will bring 2,310 much-needed jobs primarily to the Renton area.
The festivities will be marked by speeches from Lt. Governor Brad Owen, US Congressman Adam Smith of Washington’s 9th District, Mayor of Renton Denis Law, Mayor Conrad Lee, along with Michael Christ of SECO Development, and Craig Davenport of MulvanneyG2 Architecture.
There will be a thunderous lead up to the groundbreaking from the Seahawks Blue Thunder. Colorful Chinese Lions will dance and bless the ground and help unveil a large banner containing the image of the Hotel at Southport that will soon begin construction.
The luxury hotel will add to the development of the 17.5 acre site which began as a dream for SECO Development founder, Michael Christ, and the City of Renton more than 13 years ago. Mr. Christ purchased the site from Puget Sound Energy in 1999, with the goal of turning the waterfront property into something truly unique. The last element of the final phase will be an office campus.
“I have lived most of my life on Lake Washington, so to see this dream realized is amazing to me,” said Michael Christ.
City leaders are also embracing this development as a transformational project for Renton. “The Hotel at Southport is a game changer for our city,” said Cliff Long, Economic Development Director for the City of Renton. “This is the first full-service hotel in Renton to offer large-scale meeting and convention space. This project will attract new high-end clientele and convention business that will drive both Renton and King County’s economy. The lodging business from Seattle to the airport is booming and we look forward to offering a beautiful place on South Lake Washington for people to stay from all over the world.”
Located next to Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, the Hotel at Southport will offer stunning views of the mountains, Lake Washington and the Seattle city skyline. Key features include:
- 12 story height to honor the Seahawks’ Twelfth Man
- 350 luxury hotel rooms
- Targeted to be the largest LEED Silver building in Renton
- 42,000 square feet of convention space
- Deep water moorage and marine access
- Signature waterfront restaurant
The Hotel at Southport began as a dream and has come full circle. The project is partially financed through the EB-5 program, which allows immigrant investors to build on their dream of living in the United States through investments of $500,000 or $1 million. In this particular project EB-5 grants permanent residency to immigrants and their families who invest $500,000 in the Hotel at Southport.
Additional members of the project team include MulvannyG2 Architecture, Sellen Construction, and the Seattle Family Regional Center.
The Hotel at Southport is scheduled for completion in January of 2017.
About SECO Development
SECO Development was founded by Michael Christ in 1986. SECO Development specializes in infill, and high-end mixed-use projects with an emphasis on residential, hotel, office, and retail. SECO Development focuses on developing urban sites while being conscious of and preserving the natural environment. SECO effectively creates master-planned communities with a vision of incorporating high quality housing with retail, offices, hotels, and parking structures.
About Seattle Family Regional Center
Seattle Family Regional Center was approved by USCIS on November 14, 2013 as a designated regional center with exemplar approval. SFRC focuses on providing the best services to EB-5 immigrant investors and bringing immigrant investors together with quality development projects to enrich the Seattle community.
About MulvannyG2 Architecture
With headquarters located less than 10 miles from the project, architect MulvannyG2 has designed billions of square feet of built-out real estate, with five offices and work in six continents. MulvannyG2 is ranked within the Top 50 architectural firms in the world. The firm is the No. 2 retail architect in the world and among the largest 40 Architecture firms worldwide (BD World Architecture, 2012). MulvannyG2 designs retail, office, mixed-use, and hospitality facilities for global clients, including five of 2012’s top 20 Fortune 500 retailers. Their mixed-use developments in expanding and emerging markets, such as the Pacific Rim, have received prestigious design awards.
About Sellen Construction
Sellen Construction, founded in 1944, is the largest locally owned commercial construction firm in the Pacific Northwest. Sellen’s success is based on one simple philosophy–help customers achieve their goals. From high-rises to hospitals, and historic renovations to high-tech facilities, Sellen has delivered some of the region’s most important projects.