Kinseth Hospitality announced Tuesday that they will be developing a new AC Hotel by Marriott at the rapidly-expanding Kingston Yard development in Cedar Rapids.
The new hotel, to be built just west of the Big Grove Brewery, will feature 123 total rooms, “designed with the brand’s signature sleek and stylish approach to comfort,” according to a release.
Kingston Hotel Associates has closed on the land for the hotel, and full architectural plans are underway. Construction is expected to begin in April 2025.
The hotel will feature a flexible 2,800-square-foot meeting space with modern technology and services, which can be configured for small business meetings or larger conferences. It will also include a full-service AC Bar, offering “a relaxed atmosphere and stunning views of Kingston Yard, according to the release.
The hotel will be adjacent to the Big Grove Brewery, Pickle Palace, and Aroma Artisan Pizza in the Kingston Yard development.
“We are thrilled to introduce the AC Hotel by Marriott to Cedar Rapids,” said Kinseth Hospitality vice president of development and finance Ben Kinseth. “This new property will not only elevate the hospitality experience in the area, but also complement the dynamic and growing Kingston Yard district.”
Kinseth Hospitality, based in Coralville, currently operates over 130 hotels in 17 states.
The new hotel will be the second in downtown Cedar Rapids, joining the 267-room DoubleTree by Hilton on the east side of the Cedar River.
Conlon Construction, based in Dubuque and with offices in Cedar Rapids and Coralville, has also submitted a proposal to Cedar Rapids officials for a 150-room Marriott Aloft hotel on what’s known as Lot 44 at 1002 Second St. SE, a three-acre site just southeast of the African American Museum of Iowa that’s currently serving as a parking lot.
City officials have indicated they’re receptive to development proposals for the property, which has been owned by Conlon for “a number of years.”
The Conlon hotel is the first proposal submitted for that site so far. Ben Simon, vice president of operations for Conlon, said if the Marriott hotel proposal for New Bohemia is selected, Conlon would hope to begin construction in early 2025 and open the hotel property in the summer of 2026.
