A new $15-million Hyatt Hotel is set to open in downtown Des Moines.
Monday night, the City Council approved plans to build the hotel on five floors of the Liberty building at 6th and Grand Avenue.
Developers had planned to build condos on those floors, but the economy stalled that idea. The 95-room Hyatt Place Hotel will get some tax breaks from the city but will also generate millions in new property tax and hotel tax.
“Hyatt Place is a hip, fresh brand. There are only 115 in the country and it’s the first Hyatt in Iowa,” said Jake Christensen, the developer.
Despite some complaints from another downtown hotel owner, the Council voted four to three for the new hotel. It should open in 2011.
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