New 15-story hotel development coming to downtown — and it’s a twofer

Yet another hotel development is planned for downtown Louisville — and this one is a twofer.

A new development at the northwest corner of First and Main streets will house two hotels, each with its own entrance, elevator bank and unique style.

Developer Tim Mulloy said the 15-story development could start accepting guests in 2019 and could cost about $80 million. Mulloy isn’t an investor in this property, but he is serving as spokesman.

For this project, Louisville-based Poe Cos. is partnering with hotel management company White Lodging Services Corp. and real estate investment group REI Real Estate Services, both based in Indiana.

Those partners have worked together on other projects in the past, including the new Aloft Louisville Downtown across the street from this new hotel development. The architect for the project is Atlanta-based PFVS Architecture.

The first hotel is a Westin, which would have 220 rooms and would be comparatively traditional. Plans call for a first-floor restaurant, an 8,000-square-foot ballroom with room for 350 people, and a rooftop pool and bar that would overlook Waterfront Park.

Westin guests would enter from Main Street. Mulloy said the designs for the development aren’t done yet, but the entrance likely would incorporate the now free-standing historical building facades at the southern border of the property.

Mulloy said the 80-room Moxy hotel would be a little edgier. Moxy is a new Marriott brand, self-described as a “boutique hotel with the social heart of a hostel.”

Moxy guests would enter off Washington Street. Mulloy said there likely would be a bar on the first floor that would serve food, and guests would have access to the Westin’s rooftop bar and pool.

“They will both reflect the heritage of Louisville,” he said, adding that the city’s famous bourbon probably would be worked into the dining offerings.

Mulloy said expects the purchase of the property will be final by the end of this year. That property is owned by developer Todd Blue, Mulloy said it’s being used as a staging area for construction of the nearby Whiskey Row Lofts.