AVON, OH – Local officials, along with investment and development partners, gathered to celebrate the ground breaking of the 116 room Residence Inn by Marriott and 10,000 square-foot Emerald Event Center in Avon, Ohio.
Mayor Bryan Jenkens kicked off the ceremony by talking about the impact this development will have on the community. “There has been a need for a hotel out here. Now businessmen visiting ShurTech, or people going to the Clinic or one of the other businesses in the area will be able to stay close by instead of driving miles to get to a hotel. I could not have planned it better.”
Jim Gerish, President of Emerald Hospitality Associates, gave accolades to the city of Avon citing that they “could not have been more welcoming” through the entire development process. He noted that the staff at Emerald is “humbled” and “honored” with the amount of assistance received by all the parties involved in this exciting project.
The Residence Inn by Marriott and Emerald Event Center will be located next door to the Cleveland Clinic Richard E. Jacobs Health Centerand is expected to open for business in April 2015. The five-story hotel will offer two-bedroom, one-bedroom, and studio suites all of which will include fully equipped kitchens, a 24-hour “market” with free grocery delivery to guests, a heated indoor pool, a fitness center, and an outdoor barbecue, fire pit, and sports court.
Mr. Gerish added “this is more than just a box – this is the next generation Residence Inn with state-of-the-art design elements, a unique lobby, 116 guest rooms, a conference center, and many other amenities. It will also offer 40 to 50 good jobs once it opens in addition to the construction jobs right now.”
Many local organizations and financial institutions played a role in developing this project. Partners in the project include: the City of Avon, Emerald Hospitality Associates, Nimbus Investment Fund, First Commonwealth Bank, Mann Architects, and Pride One Construction.
The Cleveland Clinic facility, located next door to the project, has announced an addition of a 100 to 120 beds by 2016. Mr. Gerish looks forward to a long relationship with The Cleveland Clinic facility adding “we plan to set aside some rooms for people getting treatment at the Clinic, or who have been discharged from the Clinic and not yet ready to return home,” he said. “These rooms will be specifically equipped to handle their needs.”
The 10,000 square foot attached Emerald Event Center will encompass a 6,700 square foot ballroom which can be divided into four meeting areas or as one grand ballroom with a seating capacity of 400 plus. In addition to corporate meetings, conferences, and social engagements such as weddings, Mr. Gerish said the conference center could offer special events to the local community such as Easter and Mother’s Day brunches, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and unique “one-of-a-kind” functions.
