The new Embassy Suites by Hilton hopes to bring strong upscale option to GR hotel market

With demolition of the former Western American Mailers plant underway on the corner of Bond Avenue and Newberry Street, developers at Suburban Inns have officially kicked off construction for its long-awaited upscale hotel, Embassy Suites by Hilton — plans for which first began in 2009 with the purchase of the old Belknap Lookout plant. 

First derailed by the housing crash in 2009 and then again in 2014, build-out plans for the seven-story Embassy Suites have been in limbo for quite some time, but Suburban Inns is confident about its future with its new construction managers, Pioneer Construction. The company has set the new tentative completion date for summer 2019. 

Suburban Inns CEO Peter Beukema says with those setbacks now in the past, his team is only looking forward to the hotel’s future as one of downtown’s newest major players.

“There have been a number of roadblocks on this project, but we have been committed to the project from day one,” Beukema said. “It is important to us to do this right to be a positive asset in the community.”

Located at 710 Monroe Ave. NW in Grand Rapids’ North Monroe business district, the seven-story Embassy Suites is being touted as the first of its kind — not only with regards to the brand name, but also the upscale, all-suite style option it brings to the market. It will feature 246 suites in total, and many of those units will be equipped with individual balconies to take in views of the Grand River or the downtown Grand Rapids’ skyline.

Embassy Suites amenities include the second level’s indoor pool overlooking the Grand River, a lobby bar, an indoor/outdoor spa to a banquet facility for meetings and events, and a restaurant, Big E’s Sports Bar and Grill.

“Embassy Suites is a very unique brand, and we’re happy to work with Hilton on this project,” says Peter Beukema, chief executive officer at Suburban Inns. “The value that this hotel offers makes it a destination sought out by not only corporate travelers but also weekend leisure and sport teams as well.” 

In total, construction on the new hotel is expected to take anywhere from 18 to 24 months, with its estimated completion date set for summer 2019. 

Written by Anya Zentmeyer, Development News Editor
Images courtesy of Suburban Inns