New downtown Akron hotel now set to open in mid-December

 

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

The Northside Courtyard by Marriott, downtown Akron’s first new hotel in decades, will open about a month later than planned.

 

Hotel officials now say the 147-room property in the Northside District will open in mid-December.

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/board,20.0.html

Northside Marriott in downtown Akron won’t open until next year

 

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal business writer

 

The Northside Courtyard by Marriott, downtown Akron’s first new hotel in decades, has delayed its opening until early next year.

 

“Optimistically, we’re looking at mid-February,” said local developer Joel Testa, president of Testa Cos., the project’s developer.

 

http://www.ohio.com/business/northside-marriott-in-downtown-akron-won-t-open-until-next-year-1.648547

Historic downtown Akron building to become The United 1: A Blu-tique Hotel

January 12, 2016

By BETH THOMAS HERTZ

 

Local developer Tony Troppe is moving forward with his new boutique hotel in the historic United Building at the corner of Main and Market streets in downtown Akron and has decided on a name: The United 1: A Blu-tique Hotel.

 

Troppe is developing the 65-room hotel with assistance from a $1.6 million Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit. The name is a reference to the hotel’s link to the nearby Blu Jazz+ club, which Troppe also owns, as well as the hotel’s address, 1 S. Main St. He expects the hotel to open by the fourth quarter of 2016.

 

The overall cost of the project will be about $11 million, with about $7 million going toward renovations, he said.

 

MORE:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20160112/NEWS/160119970/historic-downtown-akron-building-to-become-the-united-1-a-blu-tique

Historic downtown Akron building to become The United 1: A Blu-tique Hotel

January 12, 2016

By BETH THOMAS HERTZ

 

Local developer Tony Troppe is moving forward with his new boutique hotel in the historic United Building at the corner of Main and Market streets in downtown Akron and has decided on a name: The United 1: A Blu-tique Hotel.

 

Troppe is developing the 65-room hotel with assistance from a $1.6 million Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit. The name is a reference to the hotel’s link to the nearby Blu Jazz+ club, which Troppe also owns, as well as the hotel’s address, 1 S. Main St. He expects the hotel to open by the fourth quarter of 2016.

 

The overall cost of the project will be about $11 million, with about $7 million going toward renovations, he said.

 

MORE:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20160112/NEWS/160119970/historic-downtown-akron-building-to-become-the-united-1-a-blu-tique

 

Well I hope that stupid signage isn't part of the project.

Wow.  There is a fine line between genius and insanity and that line runs right through Tony Troppe.

GREAT idea.

 

Stupid name. And Sign.

GREAT idea.

 

Stupid name. And Sign.

 

I have no problem with the sign, but would prefer a more stylish blade sign coming out from the corner of the building. The name I could do without.

Funny, everyone's concerned with the name. Pretty smart actually, branding that area with two establishments that tie together with name and theme.

I guess is you don't like the name, maybe pony up your own money and call it what you want?

Downtown Akron Marriott debut delayed again

By Katie Byard Published: January 13, 2016

 

Officials with the Northside Courtyard by Marriott, downtown Akron’s first new hotel in decades, now say the hotel will not open until mid-March.

Cindy Sherman, who heads sales and marketing for the hotel, said the new scheduled opening date is now March 15.

Late last year, hotel officials said it was possible the 10-story hotel could open by mid-February.

 

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/your-business/your-business-1.567844/downtown-akron-marriott-debut-delayed-again-1.654337

Funny, everyone's concerned with the name. Pretty smart actually, branding that area with two establishments that tie together with name and theme.

I guess is you don't like the name, maybe pony up your own money and call it what you want?

 

No one is disputing the guy's right to name the hotel whatever he wants, but that doesn't mean anyone has to like it. Would you tell someone who didn't like the design of plans for a new building to "pony up your own money" and build it? That response doesn't allow for critique and opinion.

Funny, everyone's concerned with the name. Pretty smart actually, branding that area with two establishments that tie together with name and theme.

I guess is you don't like the name, maybe pony up your own money and call it what you want?

 

No one is disputing the guy's right to name the hotel whatever he wants, but that doesn't mean anyone has to like it. Would you tell someone who didn't like the design of plans for a new building to "pony up your own money" and build it? That response doesn't allow for critique and opinion.

 

Yes, I probably would. Typically people who are negatively vocal don't understand or have any appreciation for 1. something that is different and 2. the time, energy and thought process that went into the decision.

They also don't typically represent the majority, so it's a wash anyway.

First up, I'm extremely happy that he is doing this and is able to make it work. I'm glad that after many false starts, Akron is finally getting some nice hotels in the CBD. I love the decor he's picking, the idea, the theme, and the reuse of a building. Also, the fact that he has an idea for expansion.

 

And guess what..I still dislike the name.

1- it sounds too close the Radisson Blu name

2- the name is too "cutesy".

 

I still love the project and intend on supporting it in anyway that i can, but that doesn't mean i have to like every element of it.

I actually have no problem with the name. It's definitely a bit on the quirky side, but that's a quality Akron could certainly use in greater quantities. How Troppe is going about this and his revitalization efforts of the Main-Market district in general seems very original and unique to Akron, rather than an imposition of what another, "highly-favored" city like say Austin or Portland has done. I hope he succeeds and continues to invest in Akron.

I don't think that will be permanent signage. Tony is pretty good at leaving historical buildings with appropriate facade treatments. Look at the building across the street. He added a large clock to the corner to "tell Akron what time it is." It looks like it would've been there 80 years ago. Whatever that tarp sign is made out of would also be blocking 12 windows. I don't see that happening permanently. As long as its not permanent I'm ok with it.

First up, I'm extremely happy that he is doing this and is able to make it work. I'm glad that after many false starts, Akron is finally getting some nice hotels in the CBD. I love the decor he's picking, the idea, the theme, and the reuse of a building. Also, the fact that he has an idea for expansion.

 

And guess what..I still dislike the name.

1- it sounds too close the Radisson Blu name

2- the name is too "cutesy".

 

I still love the project and intend on supporting it in anyway that i can, but that doesn't mean i have to like every element of it.

 

Are you familiar with Blu Jazz which is right across the street? That's the reasoning. Never heard of Radisson Blu, but I only stay in a hotel maybe a couple times a year.

 

 

 

 

Jazz-themed Blutique Hotel will soon grace downtown Akron

By John Harper, cleveland.com

on January 13, 2016 at 7:30 PM, updated January 13, 2016 at 7:31 PM

 

AKRON, Ohio -- By the end of the year, developer Tony Troppe wants to have a 65-room jazz-themed boutique hotel operating inside the United Building at the corner of Main and Market streets, the apex of downtown Akron.

 

Troppe's work to transform the once dormant downtown into a noteworthy entertainment district has been underway for the better part of two decades, but with his new hotel Troppe is hoping to start something bigger.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2016/01/blutique_hotel_featuring_jazz.html#incart_m-rpt-1

New downtown Akron hotel to finally make its debut; Courtyard by Marriott set to open this week

By Katie Byard

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: March 12, 2016 - 08:50 PM

 

The beds are made, the pool awaits, the kitchen is stocked.

 

Akron’s first new downtown hotel in decades, the Northside Courtyard by Marriott, is set to open Thursday.

 

The opening comes four months later than planned and more than five years after local developer Joel Testa initially revealed his ambitious plans for a 10-story Marriott Courtyard on downtown’s northern edge.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/new-downtown-akron-hotel-to-finally-make-its-debut-courtyard-by-marriott-set-to-open-this-week-1.668571#