Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1483470
B M & T ••• November/December 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 9 ECHO" is seeing great momentum with 72 hotels in the development pipeline as of the end of the second quarter. "This is a milestone moment for Wyndham, as we break ground on our first hotel under this innovative, extended-stay hotel brand," said Geoff Ballotti, president and chief execu- tive officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "Demand for extended-stay accommodations continues to surge as interest continues to grow among both guests and developers. As the nation's leader in economy and midscale hotel accommoda- tions, this is the ideal time to introduce a cost-friendly and all new-construction brand, starting with this important and growing Texas market." Conveniently located just a few miles from Dallas along the southeast corner of Highway 121 and Rasor Boulevard in Plano, this first groundbreaking for the new extended-stay hotel brand is close to the city's nearby shopping, dining, and outdoor offerings. Named "one of the happiest places in the country," Plano offers incredible nature preserves and a vari- ety of arts and cultural activities. The hotel is owned by Gulf Coast Hotel Management and is expected to open in the sec- ond half of 2023. "This new development will offer a modern, extended-stay product with all the conveniences of home for both leisure and business travelers visiting north Texas," said Ian McClure, chief executive officer, Gulf Coast Hotel Management. "We were attracted to Wyndham for this project due to their expertise, and how this new brand is custom-designed with the developer in mind." The purpose-built, 124-room Project ECHO prototype requires just under two acres of land, has a highly competitive cost per key, and features multiple characteristics that inten- tionally separate it from traditional economy brands. Coming in at just over 50,000 sq. ft.—nearly 74 percent of which is rentable—individual rooms average 300 sq. ft. The rooms con- sist of single- and two-queen studio suites with kitchenettes as well as efficiently designed public spaces—a lobby, fitness center and guest laundry—that help to limit labor needs. For more information, including development opportuni- ties, visit www.projectecho.wyndhamhotels.com. SAWGRASS MARRIOTT GOLF RESORT & SPA TO UPDATE MEETING SPACES THIS WINTER Noted Golf Resort Also Introducing New Rooftop Restaurant and Upgrades to its Beachfront Club Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, located near Jacksonville, Fla., will debut property upgrades to its meeting spaces and private beachfront club this winter. Stylish, modern design and furnishings in the resort's new beachside rooftop restaurant and refreshed meeting space are all in the plans for an exciting new look: Refreshed meeting space The resort's meeting spaces will undergo a full refresh, bringing a new modern ambiance to the ballrooms, breakout rooms and pre-function areas. Inspired by its Ponte Vedra beach location, the design will incorporate mineral tones of the ocean layered with the whites of sand dunes. Updates will include new furnishings, accents, paint, vinyl and carpet with oceanic and earthy textures and color palettes to surround attendees in an elegant, airy oasis throughout more than 90,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space. New rooftop restaurant and Cabana Beach Club upgrades At the resort's Cabana Beach Club – a private beachfront club open to resort guests and members – a new upscale rooftop beachside restaurant will offer fresh seafood, small plates, elevated cocktails and fine wines to accompany breath- taking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The new venue will be open to the public, resort guests and Club members. The entire Cabana Beach Club dining experience will be reimag- ined with a new space, new menus as well as the new branding and reopening of the beloved Sea Porch restaurant and all- new branding for Sharkey's Pool Bar & Café.