The $31 million Inns at Armory Square broke ground this past month. Expect to see construction move at a fast pace this coming season, with a scheduled opening in May 2013. The 180-room complex, located directly adjacent to the Warehouse, will be an anchor project for the Connective Corridor, and is designed to enhance Syracuse’s appeal as a destination conference venue, supported by the OnCenter Convention Center, nearby Armory Square, and other major recent investments in other nearby downtown projects such as the Jefferson Clinton Hotel and Jefferson Clinton Commons.

The project also compliments the recently completed $29 million Washington Walton Station complex, home to the Pioneer Companies, O’Brien and Gere, and economic development offices for the county and city.

The Inns at Armory Square are designed to offset the transition between the Armory Square historic district and the cutting edge contemporary architecture of the Warehouse and Washington Walton Station. It is the first combined Marriott Courtyard/Residence Inn in New York State. The seven-story complex will have a cosmopolitan urban feel – featuring a sophisticated, contemporary Marriott interior design, with a spacious lobby, conference amenities, bistro restaurant, two bars, outdoor café seating, pool and gym, and an outdoor elevated garden terrace. Project developers, RJS Holdings, will be working with the Connective Corridor on programming and linkages to downtown venues and events on campus, promoting use of the free Corridor bus. The project expects to draw 90,000 annual visits, and generate $17 million into the downtown economy.