STAMFORD, CONN. - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of a dual-branded Aloft and Element hotel development in the heart of Boston’s Seaport District. The 330-room Aloft Boston Seaport and 180-room Element Boston Seaport boast a prime location on D Street, directly across the street from the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
“We are proud to debut both our Aloft and Element brands in Boston’s dynamic Seaport district, a hub for innovation and a premier convention destination that attracts visitors from across the globe,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “A recognized industry leader in the eco-space, Element promotes a life in balance with its emphasis on wellness and sustainability, while Aloft caters to the hyper-connected global traveler with distinctive urban design, a tech-forward, social atmosphere and live music at W XYZ Bar.”
Owned and developed by a partnership between majority equity partner Ares Management-controlled funds and CV Properties, the $158 million complex—constructed by Suffolk Construction Elkus Manfredi Architects - occupies a 5.2 acre-parcel of land leased from the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA).
“We are thrilled to introduce both Aloft and Element to Boston in collaboration with Starwood Hotels, the MCCA and Ares Management,” said Richard Galvin, President of CV Properties. “With their distinctive positioning and smart, modern design, these two popular global brands will offer tremendous appeal to travelers visiting South Boston’s rapidly-growing Seaport District.”
“The new Aloft and Element hotels will help meet the rising demand for stylish, high-caliber lodging generated by the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the Seaport District,” said Andrew Holm, Managing Director in the Ares Real Estate Group. “The opening of these sleek, new hotels also enhances Boston’s appeal as one of the country’s leading convention cities.”
Aloft Boston Seaport offers leading-edge design, loft-like rooms, nearly 10,000 square feet of industry-leading meeting space, fast and free WiFi throughout the hotel and accessible technologies and amenities. Guests will be able to grab lite bites and snacks from re:fuel by Aloft – a one-stop grab & go food and beverage area – enjoy a 24/7 fitness center, swim laps in the Splash pool and grab a cocktail at W XYZ® bar. The hotel lobby area will also play host to Aloft’s signature Live at Aloft Hotels concert series, which features emerging artists as well as some of the hottest local bands drawing in hotel guests and locals alike.
Element Boston Seaport features light-filled studios with a fluid design, fully equipped kitchens and spa-inspired bathrooms, as well as 1,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, an indoor saline pool and fitness center. On track to more than double its global portfolio in the next three years, Element Hotels offer a variety of innovative amenities and services that allow guests to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle while on the road including complimentary Bikes to Borrow program and the signature RISE breakfast which features a variety of healthy and fresh options like juices and breakfast wraps. Guests can also wind down at the end of the day and enjoy a glass of wine and complimentary appetizers during the RELAX evening reception. Fast and free WiFi is also available throughout the hotel keeping guests connected.
The 13-story Aloft Boston Seaport is separated from the eight-story Element Boston Seaport by a hotel drive that runs perpendicular to D Street and provides access to the porte-cochere of both hotels. The hotel complex is less than three miles from Logan International Airport (BOS) and convenient to the Back Bay, the financial district, and leading downtown attractions including Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall. It is the second Aloft-Element dual hotel development in the Boston area, joining Aloft and Element Lexington, which opened in 2008.
Aloft Brighton to Debut in Autumn 2017, Reaffirming the Brand’s Global Expansion
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. also announced it has entered into a franchise agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion to open a new Aloft hotel in the popular southern England coastal city. The 150-room Aloft Brighton, which is due to open in September 2017, will expand the brand’s growing footprint to four hotels in the UK, including two in London (Aloft London Tobacco Dock opens 2018), one in Liverpool and now one in Brighton.
“This agreement illustrates the strong demand for stylish, yet affordable accommodation in mature and strategically important cities such as Brighton,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “We are delighted to partner with Brighton and Hove Albion in this venture, and look forward to introducing our cutting-edge Aloft brand alongside one of the country’s most exciting sports and leisure developments.”
Located adjacent to the new American Express Community Stadium, home of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club, Aloft Brighton will form a key part of a new major development that includes a proposed specialist cancer treatment center underneath the hotel. The site also enjoys superb transport links, with an on-site mainline rail station and parking for 422 cars (including 27 disabled spaces), and is located within close proximity to Brighton city-center and its popular attractions.
“As a global brand and leading hospitality company, Starwood’s UK market expertise gives us confidence that this alliance will be a huge success,” said Martin Perry, Brighton and Hove Albion Executive Director. “With its affordable price point, stylish design and accessible technology, the Aloft brand is the perfect choice for visitor accommodation at the American Express Community Stadium, appealing to multiple business segments including conference delegates, football supporters and visitors to the two Universities adjacent to the stadium.”
Delivering urban-influenced design and an energetic guest experience, Aloft Brighton will offer 150 loft-like guest rooms with ultra-comfortable plush platform beds, large walk-in showers and complimentary Bliss® amenities. The hotel will feature the brand’s signature W XYZSM bar, a buzzy public space where guests can mix and mingle, work or grab a drink with friends. Additionally, every Aloft hotel around the world offers live, free access to emerging artists and performances from some of the hottest local bands.
Designed with the needs of the savvy next-generation traveler in mind, Aloft Brighton will feature SPG Keyless-Starwood’s industry-first keyless entry system that enables guests to use their smartphone or Apple watch as a room key-and fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Hotel amenities will include an onsite restaurant; Aloft’s signature Re:charge fitness center; 55 square meters of creative meeting space equipped with the latest audio-visual hardware; and Re:fuelSM by Aloft, a unique and convenient deli option for guests on the go, offering an array of food and drinks available 24 hours a day.
Aloft Brighton will be managed by Interstate Europe’s UK division, part of the leading global hotel management company, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, which also operates the 136-room Four Points by Sheraton in Kecskemet, Hungary.
The signing of Aloft Brighton reaffirms the momentum behind the brand’s fast-moving global expansion, with plans to introduce new properties in Europe from St. Petersburg to Kiev. Starwood also announced plans to open a second Aloft in London at the historic Tobacco Dock area in 2018-a dual-development hotel that will also feature the company’s first Element property in the UK.
“We are thrilled by the momentum gathering behind the Aloft brand, and its unstoppable appeal to owners and developers,” said Felicity Black-Roberts, Senior Director Acquisition & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. “The brand’s keen positioning towards the next generation of travelers continues to fuel its growth potential in emerging and mature markets such as the UK and beyond.”
Starwood currently offers 12 hotels in the UK and Ireland under seven of the company’s 10 distinct lifestyle brands including: The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Le Meridien, Tribute Portfolio and Aloft.
