US: JR Hospitality has revealed plans to build a 150-unit extended stay hotel on a vacant plot near the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.
The JR Hospitality project in the south-east quadrant of Old Shakopee Road East and Killebrew Drive would be the first Hyatt House extended-stay hotel in Minnesota.
JR Managing Partner Jay Bhakta said the Eagan-based developer wants to take advantage of the high-profile location: “The biggest thing is the proximity, walking distance to Mall of America. You’re a few miles to the airport. The hotels in that area do very well.”
Developable lots around the mall, which according to its website attracts 40 million visitors a year, are few and far between. Bloomington planning manager Glen Markegard said the block to the south-east is only available thanks to the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which bought up and demolished a number of buildings starting in 2001.
“They acquired it in conjunction with construction of the north-south runway,” Markegard said, adding that the commission wanted to control future development and head off noise complaints directly under the path of low-flying jets. “It’s been vacant for a number of years, so we’re happy to see some activity.”
