City of Wilmington officials finalized the land sale for a $33.6 million Embassy Suites Hotel adjacent to the Wilmington Convention Center. Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo and other city officials joined representatives from Harmony Hospitality, Inc. in signing documents for the final closing at City Hall Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Earlier this year city council approved an agreement with Harmony to purchase about 3/4 of an acre and construct a 186-room, full service Embassy Suites Hotel next to the convention center. The hotel will include a restaurant, bar, pool and additional meeting space.
“Today marks a milestone in our 10-year-long effort to bring a first-class convention center and hotel to downtown Wilmington. We’re already halfway there since the convention center opened and now we look forward to working with Harmony to get this top quality hotel built so we can realize the full economic impact that will benefit our entire region,” Saffo stated in a press release issued by the city Dec. 3.
The closing of the land sale was delayed for several months. Harmony had been unable to secure sufficient financing for the property after the land sale was legally challenged and then appealed by the owner of the Hilton Wilmington Riverside, Sotherly Hotels Inc.
