Spandrel Development Partners announced its entry into the hospitality sector with the development of the AC Hotel Research Park, a 154-key AC Hotels by Marriott property in Huntsville, Alabama. The project is located within Bridge Street Town Centre in Cummings Research Park, marks the first hotel development for the New York-based firm, and the launch of a Southeast-focused hospitality platform with a second project already in development in Charlotte, N.C.
“Hospitality is a natural extension of our platform, and we are entering the sector with conviction,” said Emanuel Neuman, Co-Founder of Spandrel Development Partners. “We are focused on delivering high-quality, design-forward hotels in markets where institutional demand is deep and durable. Huntsville’s federal, defense and aerospace employment base creates a demand profile that is distinct from most Sun Belt growth markets, and the AC Hotel Research Park is the first of several hospitality developments we expect to advance in the near term.”
The hotel will feature approximately 4,000 square feet of meeting and conference space along with a bar, restaurant and fitness center. Its location within Bridge Street Town Centre provides immediate access to more than 70 shops and restaurants, positioning the property as a central hub for both corporate and leisure guests. Spandrel owns 4.5 acres and plans a build-to-suit office building to be adjacent to the hotel.
“Huntsville continues to demonstrate strong demand fundamentals for high-quality, design-forward hospitality offerings,” said Chris DiBenedetto of Marriott International. “We are excited to work with Spandrel to bring the AC Hotels by Marriott experience to this dynamic and growing market.”
The hotel sits at the nexus of two demand anchors that together constitute the largest economic zone in Alabama: Cummings Research Park, the second-largest research park in the United States with more than 300 companies and 26,000 employees, and Redstone Arsenal, a 38,000-acre U.S. Army installation employing approximately 45,000 military, civilian and contract workers.
Financing and Advisory Peachtree Group is providing construction financing for the development. Institutional Property Advisors acted as advisor to Spandrel Development Partners in connection with the project.
“We are pleased to partner with Spandrel on this well-located, thoughtfully conceived AC Hotels by Marriott project,” said Jared Schlosser of Peachtree Group. “By leveraging our broad financing capabilities and ability to structure tailored capital solutions for construction projects, we are uniquely positioned to support this development. Combined with Huntsville’s strong growth and the strength of the AC Hotels by Marriott brand, this project is poised for long-term success.”
“The combination of Huntsville’s job growth, strong institutional demand drivers, and the lack of new, well-located hotel supply within this submarket creates a compelling opportunity,” said Ian Levine of Spandrel Development Partners. “Bridge Street Town Centre sits at the center of that demand, and we believe the AC Hotel Research Park is uniquely positioned to serve both corporate and government-related travel with a high-quality, efficient product.”
The AC Hotel Research Park represents the first in a series of hospitality developments Spandrel is actively pursuing across the Southeast. The firm’s next project is in active development in Charlotte, N.C., with another announcement expected in the near term. The platform will target a mix of select-service and lifestyle hotel opportunities in high-growth markets across the region.
Construction of the new AC Huntsville Research Park is expected to begin immediately with an opening anticipated in 2028.
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