Marriott AC Hotel joins Cascades Project

May 24, 2018

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- North American Properties, the development company behind the Cascades Project, has announced some upcoming changes and additions to the mixed-use development.

A boutique hotel has been part of the plans since the projects inception. However, until Thursday that hotel was not yet named.

NAP Managing Partner Shawn McIntyre told the Community Redevelopment Agency this week that Marriott International AC Hotels will be joining the project. And, bringing AC Hotel Tallahassee to downtown.

“Cascades is the perfect location for this upscale boutique-brand hotel,” said McIntyre. “Travelers will benefit from easy access to area businesses and universities while also enjoying the eclectic amenities of a dynamic downtown destination.”

The AC Hotel blends European style with a modern feel. McIntyre hopes it caters to those coming into town for business, particularly because the development includes office space, as well as families coming in to visit the universities. The hotel will include 154 rooms.

The announcement means the project is one step closer to breaking ground. And, ensures construction will all happen at once.

"A lot of times you build something then two years later something else gets built, the streets get dirty again, construction workers, noise. So our goal is to build this project as one and when it opens, as one downtown, having the office, the hotel and the residential open together as opposed to one use at a time," said McIntyre.

As for other changes, NAP announced it will no longer remove the old live oak tree located on the corner of Gaines and Calhoun. The decision comes after public outcry over the removal of a majority of trees on the site. Over the last two months the tree has been dressed with a yellow ribbon and sign that says "don't kill me."

The project has also been slightly scaled back. Residential space that was intended to be seven stories high will now be town homes that rise four stories high. This is to better fit in with the existing architecture surrounding the project.