An international hotel brand has unveiled plans to open a new hotel in Middlesbrough.
Fairfield by Marriott, which has more than 1,300 hotels around the world, is in talks to launch the new 200-bedroom property, and if given the green light the Gresham project could start in early summer next year. Members of the Middlesbrough Development Corporation Board are set to meet this week to decide the next steps on the project for the hotel’s operator and contractors.
The hotel is planned for land on the corner of Borough Road near Union Street and Hartington Road, and corporation members will be asked to approve Cycas as preferred hotel operator, as well as Wates as the preferred construction contractor.
The corporation joined forces with experienced property developers iMpeC and Buccleuch Property last year to design a rejuvenated Gresham, with a wider mission to offer high-quality accommodation to attract and retain talent in the town, support the growth of Teesside University and attract up to 4,000 jobs.
Middlesbrough mayor Chris Cooke said: “Newport ward will always be a place I want to see improve and thrive. The land in question is a key entrance way to the town and needs to be developed.”
The first phase of the masterplan aims to seek planning approval for five mews houses, more than 230 build to rent properties, and a new block to offer student accommodation for more than 400 people.
iMpeC director Neil McMillan said: “We plan to deliver a transformational project at this key gateway location, providing a new accommodation offer that will help attract and retain students in the town and support its growing digital, professional and Advanced Manufacturing sectors to keep talent in Middlesbrough.This hotel is a key element to our offer and will provide a place to stay for investors and the thousands of workers taking on projects in the town and at Teesworks.”
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen, who is also chair of Middlesbrough Development Corporation, said: “To have Marriott coming on board in the heart of Middlesbrough is another huge boost to our ambitions and a vote of confidence in what we all want to achieve. This is another big milestone – and we’re working hard to put everything in place to ensure we can get spades in the ground to build the hotel as soon as we possibly can.”
