The world's largest hotel franchising company, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, has celebrated its new extended-stay brand's first groundbreaking in Plano, Texas. Operating under the working title "Project ECHO", the all-new construction brand is witnessing significant momentum, with 72 hotels in the pipeline as of the end of the second quarter.
"This is a milestone moment for Wyndham, as we break ground on our first hotel under this innovative, extended-stay hotel brand," said Geoff Ballotti, President & CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
The demand for extended-stay accommodations continues to surge as interest rises among guests and developers. As the nation's leader in economy and midscale hotel accommodations, right now is the perfect time for Wyndham to introduce a cost-friendly and all new-construction brand, starting with the growing Texas market.
Conveniently located a few miles from Dallas along the southeast corner of Highway 121 and Rasor Boulevard in Plano, this first groundbreaking for the new extended-stay hotel brand is in the proximity of the city's nearby shopping, dining, and outdoor offerings. Known as "one of the happiest places in the country," Plano is home to incredible nature preserves and various arts and cultural activities. Owned by Gulf Coast Hotel Management, the hotel is slated to open in the second half of 2023.
"This new development will offer a modern, extended-stay product with all the conveniences of home for leisure and business travellers visiting north Texas," said Ian McClure, chief executive officer, Gulf Coast Hotel Management. "We were attracted to Wyndham for this project due to their expertise and how this new brand is custom-designed with the developer in mind."
The purpose-built, 124-room Project ECHO prototype demands just under two acres of land, has a highly competitive cost per key, and boasts multiple characteristics that set it apart from traditional economy brands. Coming in at just over 50,000 square feet—nearly 74 percent of which is rentable—individual rooms average 300 square feet. The rooms include single- and two-queen studio suites with kitchenettes and efficiently-designed public spaces—a lobby, fitness centre and guest laundry—that help limit labour needs.
