The Courtyard by Marriott on Chase Street will have 120 rooms and 1,500 square feet of meeting space.
Katie King

Published - October, 13, 2006

Courtyard by Marriott likely to open in March

Carlton Proctor

The new Courtyard by Marriott at 700 E. Chase St. is on schedule for a grand opening in March, said Dave Cleveland, senior vice president of Highpointe Hotel Corporation. based in Gulf Breeze.

Cleveland said the five-story, interior corridor hotel will feature 1,500 square feet of meeting space and 120 rooms, many of which will overlook Pensacola Bay.

"We're very excited about this hotel," Cleveland said. "We knew we had a good location and that it would have a good view, but we didn't realize it would be that good."

Ed Schroeder, vice president for tourism development for the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Marriott hotel project will enhance the growing commercial area along Chase Street.

"The Marriott Courtyard is a perfect fit for that area," Schroeder said. "There are a lot of nice restaurants along that part of Chase, and Marriott hotel guests will be within walking distance of a good meal."

The hotel is being developed by Dave Cleveland, Bob Cleveland and Darryl Lapointe, founders and co-owners of Highpointe, which develops and manages 12 hotel properties, including the 107-suite Homewood Suites Pensacola Airport, the 126-room Hampton Inn Pensacola Airport, and the 78-suite Residence Inn Pensacola Downtown.

Highpointe employs about 500 people, and since 1994 has completed more than $70 million in new hotel development.

One of the newest additions to the company's portfolio is the $28 million, 288-unit Hampton Inn & Suites, across the street from the New Orleans Convention Center in Louisiana. Highpointe's recent development experience also includes the 80-room Hampton Inn in Lafayette, La.

Dave Cleveland said the Courtyard by Marriott on Chase Street was designed with a predominantly corporate clientele in mind.

Amenities will include an outdoor pool, spa, restaurant, lobby bar, convenience shop and expanded exercise facility overlooking a landscaped courtyard.

Highpointe Hotel Corp. is the management company, Terhaar & Cronley is the contractor, Spencer Maxwell Bullock is providing architectural services and financing is by the Bank of Pensacola.