The Marriott Corporation has cleared a significant hurdle in its plan to construct a major hotel in Chelsea. This week, the company obtained permitting approval from the Chelsea Zoning Board of Appeals, paving the way for the worldwide hospitality chain to move forward with its project at the corner of Maple and Beech Streets. According to City Manager Jay Ash, groundbreaking is anticipated in June. “We have spent almost ten years trying to make this happen,” Ash stated. “Marriott coming here represents a seminal moment in the business history of this city. It also indicates just how far Chelsea has come in order to support such a high end business.” The proposed structure, shown above, represents the architectural style Marriott intends to build at this location.
The hotel site sits adjacent to the Wyndham Hotel and in close proximity to where the FBI is expected to establish operations in a 400,000 square foot facility. The General Services Administration plans to lease this facility, which will be owned by local developers, the Simbolis. The city and the Simbolis continue to await final GSA approvals for that project. The new Marriott will feature 128 rooms along with standard amenities found in Marriott properties worldwide. Guests will have access to private dining rooms suitable for group events and Internet capabilities for video conferencing, amenities particularly attractive to business travelers. According to city officials, Marriott’s construction and furnishing budget for the new hotel totals $15 million. The five-story structure will be constructed of red brick. “We are all very pleased,” Ash noted. “We have worked for this for almost ten years,” he added.