Omni Hotels & Resorts Breaks Ground on Convention Center Hotel Set to Open in 2013

NASHVILLE, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Executives from Omni Hotels & Resorts along with Mayor Karl Dean, the Metro Council and leaders from Music City Center, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, broke ground today on the latest addition to the portfolio of the luxury hotel brand.  The Omni Nashville Hotel, a 21-story high-rise, is set to capture the distinct culture of Nashville - known as Music City - and embody the authentic character of the city.

Set to open in the back half of 2013, the hotel will serve as a key element within the developing Music City convention center area with 800 guest rooms and more than 80,000 square feet of meeting and event space.  Located directly across from the new, state-of-the-art 1.2 million square-foot Music City Center, the property will boast retail and entertainment venues unique to a convention center hotel.  Incorporating natural materials, exposed steel and regional limestone, the hotel will also be seamlessly integrated with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  The combined facilities will share meeting and event space as well as bring additional retail, restaurants and entertainment venues along 5th Avenue.  The hotel will also feature an urban pool deck, fitness center and a Mokara signature spa.

"Omni Hotels & Resorts believes the unique character of each destination should be reflected in our properties," said Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts.  "As we approach the design of the Omni Nashville Hotel, we want to ensure that Music City's distinct culture is incorporated to create a compelling and memorable experience for conventioneers, leisure guests and locals."

The Metropolitan Government and Omni Hotels & Resorts reached a pre-development agreement to build the hotel in August 2010, and formalized the agreement two months later.  In December that same year, the Convention Center Authority of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County approved a plan giving Omni Hotels & Resorts the authority to integrate into the expansion of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  A preliminary view of the integration plan was showcased in March of 2011.

"Due to the overwhelming support from the Metro Council and our citizens, we are ready now more than ever, for conventions and groups to experience our great city," said Mayor Karl Dean. "We also look forward to extending our southern hospitality to the thousands of business and leisure travelers who will be here for work and play."

The $250 million Omni Nashville Hotel represents a public-private partnership that will create 300 new, full-time jobs with 200 of those positions guaranteed to be filled by Davidson County residents. During construction, Omni has committed to 20 percent diversity business participation and to spend at least 20 percent of the project's construction costs with local businesses.  The project is being privately financed by Omni Hotels & Resorts.  Like the Music City Center, the hotel and expansion project is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification.  

For additional information or to book a group meeting or convention, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni. Follow Omni Hotels & Resorts at twitter.com/omnihotels or at twitter.com/omnihotelsPR.

About Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences that take guests on "A Total Departure" to 50 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America.  From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness options.  Known for its award-winning, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company's "Power of One" associate empowerment program.  The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations such as J.D. Power and Associates, which ranked Omni as "Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains" in its 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study(SM).

SOURCE Omni Hotels & Resorts