Hilton has announced the groundbreaking of the first Project H3 by Hilton Hotel in Kokomo, Ind., signifying the start of construction on its new studio apartment-style extended-stay hotel brand. Operating under a working title as Hilton navigates the final stages of the trademark process, the 137-room property is located at 5138 Cartwright Drive and is owned by Sun Management and Development Corporation. Hilton’s inaugural lower midscale, extended-stay solution for long-stay travellers is expected to open by the summer of 2024.
Beginning construction less than five months after the brand was first announced, the newest addition to Hilton's portfolio of world-class brands is providing a reliable and consistent foundation for the long-stay guest who never stopped travelling, even throughout the pandemic. The brand has received tremendous interest from owners and developers and currently boasts more than 350 deals in various stages of negotiation.
“We have looked forward to this day with tremendous excitement as Project H3 is truly different from anything in the current market,” said Matt Schuyler, chief brand officer of Hilton.
“This game-changing brand was created specifically to address the needs of guests who seek accessible quality in a long-stay hotel and provide owners with a cost-effective extended-stay hotel to build and operate.”
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The inaugural groundbreaking for the brand brought together Project H3 representatives and local dignitaries for a memorable event to officially kick off the construction process. The moment was commemorated by a groundbreaking ceremony and remarks from Isaac Lake, brand leader, Project H3 by Hilton; Tyler Moore, mayor, City of Kokomo; Lori Dukes, president and CEO, Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance; and Bharat Patel, co-founder, chairman and CEO, Sun Development and Management Corporation. Guests also viewed renderings of the hotel grounds and enjoyed a celebratory reception.
“This project represents a significant milestone, not just for our team but for the extended-stay hospitality segment as a whole,” said Bharat Patel, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Sun Development and Management Corporation.
“Backed by the power of Hilton, we're confident that this brand will set a new standard for long-term accommodations, and we couldn’t be happier to plant the brand’s first flag in Kokomo.”
The new brand will reimagine core design elements from the ground up and deliver all the essential amenities long-stay guests need for a great stay. Upon completion, the inaugural property in Kokomo, Ind., will feature three signature elements that will appeal directly to the long-stay traveller, including deliberate design, spacious apartment-style accommodation, and nontraditional lobby experiences.
Hilton’s newest brand will participate in Hilton Honors, the company’s award-winning guest loyalty program for its portfolio of nearly 7,400 properties worldwide. Members who book directly with Hilton can access instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, exclusive member discounts, free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton Honors mobile app.
