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 I-75.

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, all-suites hotel will have 203 suites and 10,000 square feet of meeting space.

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. Also there to commemorate the event were local officials including Hamilton County mayor, Jim Coppinger; city of Chattanooga mayor, Rob Littlefield; president and CEO of the Chattanooga Chamber, Tom Edd Wilson; Ruth’s Chris franchisee, Mark Oswald; president of Welbro Building Corporation, Bruce Holmes and president and CEO of the Chattanooga Conventions and Visitors Bureau, Bob Doak.

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. They have developed three other properties including Embassy Suites Atlanta - at Centennial Olympic Park, Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Atlanta - Northlake. They were also recognized as Hilton Worldwide’s Multibrand Developer of the Year in 2008.

“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.”

Embassy Suites Chattanooga - Hamilton Place will be constructed and designed in the brand’s Design Option III style. 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. 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. “Developing new relationships and evolving longstanding partnerships is an important part of our brand’s growth and we work hard to meet the needs and wants of every developer and owner. We’re pleased to see Legacy Property Group capitalizing on the diverse offerings available within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands.”

The hotel will feature all of the signature amenities standard at any Embassy Suites hotel, including free cooked-to-order breakfast each morning, a complimentary two-hour Manager’s Reception* each evening and two-room suites with a separate living area, private bedroom and wet bar fitted with a microwave, mini-fridge and coffee maker. Suites will also be equipped with two flat panel high-definition televisions. The property will offer complimentary 24/7 fitness and business centers. In addition, the hotel will feature an indoor pool and second floor deck space that can be utilized for events. A Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse inside the property will be open to both hotel guests and local patrons.

Conveniently located near Hamilton Place Mall and Volkswagen’s new assembly plant, the hotel is part of the “Waterside” mixed-use development. The development currently has an hhgregg, Mellow Mushroom, The Melting Pot and Bridget Davis Salon. 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.”