Bridgeport-based developer John Guedes now owns the former Holiday Inn, assuming control on Friday to convert the Downtown property into roughly 100 apartments tailored to millennial commuters, fully furnished, with utilities included.
Opening as a Hilton property in 1986, the hotel transitioned to a Holiday Inn under the ownership of the Trefz family in the 1990s. Some rooms will be set aside for extended-stay hotel suite guests.
“We will file for building permit on Monday to begin conversion,” says Guedes.
“We will start clean up and preparation next week with construction starting as soon as permit is issued.”
Guedes is hopeful to begin occupancy within six to seven months.
He’s also working to finalize negotiations with an operator to reopen the catering facility, restaurant and lounge within the next couple of weeks.
“I want to expedite it!”
Developers of nearby Steelpointe Harbor plan a hotel in the next phase of construction scheduled to break ground in the spring so Connecticut’s most populous city will forego an overnight hotel destination for some time.
So how does one do this without a zone change or hearing?
Waiting for the shills!