[harshbarj]

Exciting news for the old market area. While I would rather see more apartments, there is a lack of hotels in that area.

Full story here
Hyatt buys land for downtown hotel - Omaha.com

and here (with artist rendering which oddly is 11 stories tall)

Hyatt Announces New Hotel For Old Market - Omaha News Story - KETV Omaha

[GSL-NE]

Wow that's awesome. I'm sure all of us here will be all for it.

[iamjacobm]

[flip33]

We stayed at the Embassy Suites so we could shop and eat at the Old Market. That is a very cool place. I hope Omaha keeps enhancing that area and their whole downtown as well.

[iamjacobm]

They broke ground Wednesday.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/555553_10150730515104931_175879194930_9035219_3649 15147_n.jpg (broken link)

I can't wait for this to start going up!

[justsayinman]

Here are some of my thoughts on the new(er) hotels downtown: I guess I'm ignorant, I never imagined there'd be that much of a demand in Omaha with visitors/guests/business travelers that they'd need to construct these. That being said, I really REALLY enjoyed my stays at the Hilton Garden Inn and Embassy Suites, both off 10th st. They were gorgeous and the customer service was outstanding. Another thought - the former Red Lion (what is it now? Doubletree?) is an eyesore. The building is dated, it just looks horrible. When you walk into the place from the Capitol St entrance you smell mildew.

[iamjacobm]

Originally Posted by justsayinman

Here are some of my thoughts on the new(er) hotels downtown: I guess I'm ignorant, I never imagined there'd be that much of a demand in Omaha with visitors/guests/business travelers that they'd need to construct these. That being said, I really REALLY enjoyed my stays at the Hilton Garden Inn and Embassy Suites, both off 10th st. They were gorgeous and the customer service was outstanding. Another thought - the former Red Lion (what is it now? Doubletree?) is an eyesore. The building is dated, it just looks horrible. When you walk into the place from the Capitol St entrance you smell mildew.

I think the hotel demand in the city is often undervalued.

I mean during the obvious times CWS, Swim Trials, B-H weekend ect the rooms get booked.

But say some odd weekend with not much going on event wise there is still people from out of town in the city. Just like many of us Omahans make mini vacations to KC, a good number of KC families come to Omaha for the zoo and Old Market. Along with Des Moines, Souix City and many of the smaller towns in the region.

Not saying we are some bustling tourist stop, but anyone that says Omaha has no tourism is wrong. And being able to stay smack dab in the OM will be very nice.

There is also a good amount of business travel, last Creightion game I went to I over heard at least 10 people saying they are in town on business.

And there are talks to tear the DoubleTree down eventually.

[justsayinman]

The one good thing about the Doubletree FKA Red Lion is that it was the first exterior glass elevator I ever rode on as a child.

[Omahahonors]

Apparently the the story was wrong and the hotel is actually going to be eleven stories.

[iamjacobm]

Originally Posted by Omahahonors

Apparently the the story was wrong and the hotel is actually going to be eleven stories.

Yep, 1 floor retail-5 parking-5 hotel.

All in all pretty much and ideal project considering the location.