FORT MYERS, Fla. A major step in the city’s more-than-decade-long effort to build a new downtown hotel took place Friday morning.
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held for the 12-story Luminary Hotel that will rise next to the Harborside Events Center on 1375 Monroe St. The 243-room facility will be a part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.
“To be able to achieve this in this time, in the history of our city, is a major milestone,” said Mayor Randy Henderson, who won re-election this week.
Henderson was among the dignitaries who planted shovels in the ground as part of Friday’s event.
MORE: Fort Myers approves lease for 12-story downtown hotel
The Harborside Events Center will get a new name once the hotel is completed in 2019, event organizers said.
Tampa-based Mainsail Lodging & Development is in charge of the hotel project, which will include restaurants and rooftop bar.
It’s expected to open in 2019.
MORE: New downtown Fort Myers hotel renderings released
Additional renderings and information about the hotel is below: