Hilton Targeted For Downtown Hotel And Conference Center

At today's open session City Council meeting, developer Bruce Thompson, the CEO of Gold Key PHR Hotels and Resorts in Virginia Beach, stated that the the downtown conference center will probably be a Hilton depending on how the ongoing negotiations shake out.

Thompson also said the original design plans are no longer relevant and that he has selected Atlanta-based Cooper Carry as the architect.  Cooper Carry, who also developed the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront,  will go with a more contemporary look.

Thompson has said before he hopes to bring an iconic 23-story hotel to Norfolk, similar to what's found in most large cities.  That means luxury suites, a rooftop garden, two-story atrium, meeting spaces that's DoD-compliant, and other upscale amenities.  According to Thompson, Vegas' SLS Hotel, NYC's Hudson Hotel, Orlando's Peabody, and Miami's Delano Hotel will inspire the vision for the project.

Features of Thompson's original proposal (which is subject to change) included:

• A 300-room, 23 -story hotel
• 50,000 square-foot conference center
• 600-space parking deck
• High-end restaurant
• Rooftop garden possibly including a bar/restaurant
• DoD-compliant meeting spaces for DoD conferences
• An ornate lobby and outside entrance
• Presidential suites

According to Thompson, construction could begin this January with completion in the spring of 2017.