US: AKA has announced the opening of Hotel AKA Boston Common, its second Boston location to open in six months.
The acquisition of the property is a result of a joint venture between AKA and Electra America Hospitality Group (EAHG) and marks EAHG’s seventh property.
In August last year, EAHG acquired and converted the 225-room Loews Boston Hotel into the Hotel AKA Back Bay, marking AKA’s entry into New England.
EAHG will invest US$15 million in renovations to the latest property, which was formerly Kimpton Nine Zero.
The 190-room hotel will undergo a design refresh, while open for stays, to ensure AKA brand characteristics and the vibe of the downtown neighbourhood are incorporated into the property.
Larry Korman, CEO of AKA said: “Hotel AKA Boston Common offers a contrasting design vernacular to that of our first property in Boston, Hotel AKA Back Bay. We are purposefully taking a slower approach to the design refresh to respectfully metamorphize the hotel into an AKA and ensure the cultural nuances of the lively downtown location are woven into the design fabric of the property. Each of our Boston hotels on the opposing ends of the city’s parks, Boston Common and Boston Public Garden, give us the opportunity to offer our guests different experiences to reflect the two neighbourhoods.”
Located next to the city’s Common and many notable historic landmarks, including the State House and Financial District, the new hotel will offer a mix of short term and extended stay options.
It will feature luxury guest rooms and suites with views of Boston Common, a contemporary lobby lounge, fitness centre, and flexible meeting and event space. Greg Vernick will oversee the refresh of the hotel’s popular restaurant and bar, as part of the new Atelier AKA F&B programme.
AKA is a division of Korman Communities, a five-generation residential real estate company, with properties in premium destinations in major metropolitan markets across the United States and London, including New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Miami, West Palm Beach, DC, Old Town Alexandria, Boston, and Marylebone neighbourhoods.
SAN reported last year on the opening of AKA’s second Florida property, in December.
