CHARLESTON, S.C.—Bennett Hospitality, along with Charleston community leaders, officials, and guests today celebrated the groundbreaking of Bennett’s $101 million hotel project at King Street and Marion Square.
The more than 200,000 square-foot, eight-story luxury hotel will feature 185 upscale guestrooms and a grand lobby entrance off King Street. A bi-level, fine-dining restaurant overlooking Charleston’s most famed green space and a separate full bar and lounge area will be among the hotel’s amenities. Additionally, a rooftop pool with cabanas and bar will be open to patrons, along with a full-service spa. Meeting space—some of it rooftop—and a ballroom will also be available.
The project has been years in the making. Michael Bennett, founder and owner of Bennett Hospitality, said he purchased the property 21 years ago and worked on the hotel for 12 years to get all of the entitlements required. Made of limestone, marble, bronze, and copper, the hotel will be built to last, he added.
The project will produce an estimated 350 jobs in Charleston and is expected to be completed in 28 months.
Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., an integral supporter of the hotel for nearly a decade, spoke at today’s groundbreaking. “This full-service hotel will become an important part of the civic and community life of Charleston as it will host many special occasions, weddings, anniversaries, community events, and more,” Riley said. “It will additionally become a nationally acclaimed hotel. Visitors from all over our country and around the world will enjoy staying here.”
With Charleston’s booming travel and tourism business, the project is poised to become an integral part of the city’s landscape that will continue to enhance the area’s reputation as a world-class travel destination.
Balfour Beatty Construction, the second-largest hotel contractor in the United States, is serving as the project’s developer.
