A new hotel slated to be built in the Old Market got the final go ahead this week.
Iowa-based firm Hawkeye Hotels' plan to develop a new six-story hotel in the heart of the Old Market got its final authorization from the Omaha City Council. Branded as Marriott's affordable boutique hotel line, Moxy, will be located at the corner of 12th and Harney Streets.
Several stages of approval began in April when council members unanimously voted to authorize the Moxy. Since then, Hawkeye Hotels has worked with city officials to meet historic preservation standards and stay true to the historic legacy of the area.
Chief Development Officer of Hawkeye Hotels Raj Patel says they are looking forward to opening Hawkeye's first hotel in Nebraska. “We are eager to work with the city to further cultivate the Old Market while also protecting the area's rich history. It has been an honor to work closely with not just city officials but also the owners of the Diner and many other community stakeholders in planning the specifics of this lot's transformation." The Diner, an Old Market staple, will be torn down in order to make room for the Moxy.
The hotel's aesthetics will have a modern luxury feel at an affordable price and cater to the design trends and preferences of millennial and business travelers. Omaha will be the fifth planned location of the Moxy brand in the Midwest region.
The hotel plan includes 105 rooms, fitness center and valet parking. Construction is expected to start in August, and the hotel is expected to generate about 40 jobs.