NewcrestImage Buys 13-Story Office Building in New Orleans for Dual-Branded Hotel Conversion

NEW ORLEANS — NewcrestImage, a Dallas-based hotel developer and operator, has purchased a 13-story office building located at 1600 Canal St. in New Orleans. The company plans to repurpose the vacant building into a 105-room TownePlace Suites by Marriott and a 78-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott. Built in 1960 and vacant for the past 10 years, 1600 Canal St. is located at the intersection of Canal Street and I-10, nine blocks from the French Quarter and adjacent to the new 1,500-acre, $1.2 billion BioDistrict development. The asking price for the office building was $6 million, but the sales price was undisclosed. The two hotels will share amenities, including a single lobby, registration desk, breakfast area and indoor bar. There will be a single management and sales team, as well as a single housekeeping staff. The rooftop will be renovated into an 8,000-square-foot garden overlooking Canal Street and will feature an outdoor bar, exercise room and laundry facilities. NewcrestImage plans to open the two hotels by December 2016. Upon completion, the dual-branded hotel building will be the first property to combine the TownePlace Suites and SpringHill Suites brands into one building.