Embassy Suites Hotels, Chattanooga hotel property investment and legacy property group broke ground yesterday on Embassy Suites Chattanooga - Hamilton Place located at Shallowford Road and the interstate. Scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2013, the hotel will be the sixth Embassy Suites in Tennessee and the first Embassy Suites in the state to feature the brand’s latest design concept, design option III.

The full service hotel will have 203 suites and 10,000 square feet of meeting space. The innovative and flexible design features a variety of side-by-side suites, shotgun suites and one room suites in addition to a contemporary atrium area, decreasing the amount of land needed and creating efficiencies for both construction and operational costs.

Present at the groundbreaking were Ken and Byron DeFoor from ownership group Chattanooga Hotel Property Investment and key stakeholders from developers Legacy Property Group, management company Legacy Hotel Partners and Hilton Worldwide.

While the Chattanooga property is the first Embassy Suites hotel for Chattanooga Hotel Partners, Legacy Property Group is very familiar with the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands.

“We are thrilled to break ground on our second Embassy Suites hotel,” said David Marvin, president, Legacy Property Group. “The brand has such a loyal following and we’re looking forward to expanding our partnership with Hilton Worldwide to bring the unique upscale, all-suites product only offered by Embassy Suites Hotels to the Chattanooga area.”

These features also further enhance the guest experience, as there is still a great sense of space and more natural light in guest rooms and public areas like the atrium, while still maintaining all of the offerings that are characteristic of Embassy Suites hotels including the complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and Manager’s Reception.

“We’re pleased to partner with Chattanooga Hotel Partners and Legacy Property Group to bring an Embassy Suites to the Chattanooga area,” said Ken Mendoza, regional director of Embassy Suites Brand Performance Support, Hilton Worldwide.

Conveniently located near Hamilton Place Mall and Volkswagen’s new assembly plant, the hotel is part of the “Waterside” mixed-use development.

Plans for the development include additional shops, restaurants and residences.

“We’re excited to see our vision for a vibrant and energetic Chattanooga area coming to life,” said Ken and Byron DeFoor, principals, Chattanooga Hotel Property Investment.

“Embassy Suites Hotels’ unique offering will be a great addition for both business and leisure travelers looking for an upscale experience in the Waterside development.”

“Embassy Suites Chattanooga - Hamilton Place is a great addition to this area and is another indication that Chattanooga continues to be a thriving and exceptional city,” said Mayor Ron Littlefield of the City of Chattanooga.

“This is exactly the type of quality development that we have come to expect.  We are proud of this investment in our community and the economic impact most assuredly associated with it.”