Hyatt, UMW Partner On Hotel

By FARAH FARHAT

Hyatt Hotels has been chosen as the company that will run the new Eagle Village Hotel.

Jeff Rountree, CEO of the University of Mary Washington Foundation, confirmed Thursday that the new hotel project will be branded.

The Free Lance-Star reported that, “Foundation representatives submitted architectural renderings this week to the city’s Building and Development Services Department that show the Hyatt Place branding on the planned hotel.”

“[The hotel] will have a Jeffersonian look, but with a modern glass twist,” said Rountree to the Bullet.  “The interior will be a very European contemporary design and a much different feel from the outside…hip and cutting edge.”

The 66,500-square-foot hotel will include 93 studio rooms as well as four presidential suite rooms, conference rooms for the public and a 24-hour food and beverage service for guests. Additionally, the hotel will have an indoor heated pool, a fitness center and a possible day spa.

The building will also have an enclosed open-air courtyard with a garden and a fountain for special events, such as weddings. It will also house about 1,600 square feet of retail space.

“The UMW Foundation looks forward to a long-term relationship with the global family of Hyatt Hotels,” said Rountree.

“We anticipate finalizing our formal agreement with Hyatt in late April,” said Rountree.

The new Eagle Village Hotel will be located across Route 1 between the Eagle Village Executive Offices and Giant Food Store.

According to the Free Lance-Star, the hotel will be connected to the Mary Washington Hospital campus by Eagle Village Drive.

Rountree said they would like to start demolition and construction in late May or early June, and anticipates the hotel opening during the late summer of 2013.

Sophomore Tina Zekiri is excited about the hotel.

“I am very happy our school has decided to build a hotel close to the university, I have family in other states that like to visit and having a convenient place for them to stay when they do is always helpful,” said Zekiri.

Sophomore Christine Zale also looks forward to the hotel’s completion.

“Traveling from New Hampshire is like a never ending drive and after a long drive I’m sure my parents who drive down with me will enjoy staying at a hotel that is close to the university.”

Rountree said, “The city likes it because it will generate a huge new tax base for Fredericksburg and create many new jobs.”