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See renderings: 14-story South End hotel starts construction

Alexandria Sands

Modern glass skyscraper with stacked balconies and steel frames rises above a tree-lined street; pedestrians, cars, and landscaping populate the busy plaza beneath a clear blue sky. — Courtesy of White Lodging

Construction started Wednesday on a 14-story, 295-room hotel in South End.

Why it matters: Hotel construction has been slow in South End, while office and entertainment have boomed, creating demand for hospitality space. There's currently only one other full-service hotel, the Holiday Inn.

"The South End market has matured to a point where a project of this caliber is not only viable, but essential," says Conner White, vice chairman and chief investment officer of hotel developer White Lodging.

What to expect: The Autograph Collection by Marriott hotel, located on 0.6 acres at South Tryon and Bland streets, will feature nearly 10,000 square feet of meeting space and a ground-floor restaurant. Plus, it will have a "first-of-its-kind" open-air pool deck, open to non-guests, on the fifth floor, with:

a public steam sauna,
cold- and hot-plunge pools,
wellness programming,
a spa,
and a restaurant and bar, accessible by a dedicated ground-floor elevator.

What's next: The hotel — the name is to be announced — is expected to open in late 2028.

White Lodging will develop the restaurant and bar, similar to the JW Marriott it operates in Uptown. (The company also runs Dean's Italian Steakhouse, Caroline's Oyster Bar and Aura Rooftop.)
More details will come out closer to opening, a spokesperson tells Axios.

Zoom out: Indiana-based White Lodging said in a press release it wants to make Charlotte "a long-term priority market."

Modern glass office building with tall vertical metal fins, a covered drop-off area supported by concrete columns, and pedestrians on a sidewalk; trees flank the facade and street with cars. — Courtesy of White Lodging

Low-angle view of a tall glass office building with reflective blue windows, metal frames, and a wooden-louvered overhang, set against a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds. — Courtesy of White Lodging

Outdoor pool area beneath a wooden slatted ceiling; left wall features a lattice pattern, with sun loungers and people in swimsuits around a long rectangular pool, glass railing and modern building in background. — Courtesy of White Lodging

Urban plaza with a large tree in front of a modern glass-front building. Ground-floor shops, people walking, and planters with purple flowers and outdoor seating. — Courtesy of White Lodging

Modern glass-fronted building with an outdoor cafe along a planter-filled terrace. People mingle, metal framing and large windows reflect sunlight as trees shade the scene. — Courtesy of White Lodging

Contemporary glass office tower with a grid of windows and cantilevered balconies; reflective facade. Ground level shows cars, pedestrians, and trees beneath a bright blue sky. — Courtesy of White Lodging

Modern glass office building with a central glass bridge and grid-like windows; wood-toned base, greenery on balconies, busy street with cars, cyclists, and pedestrians against a blue sky. — Courtesy of White Lodging

Evening scene of a modern glass office building with a large canopy, tall windows, and concrete columns. People walk near parked cars beneath a blue twilight sky. — Courtesy of White Lodging

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See renderings: 14-story South End hotel starts construction

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