New Omni Hotel Breaks Ground Next to Kentucky International Convention Center
February 3, 2016
Dallas-based Omni Hotels & Resorts broke ground on its 30-story, 853,000-square-foot hotel and luxury apartment complex today in downtown Louisville adjacent to the Kentucky International Convention Center.
“The Omni is a game-changer for Louisville’s hospitality industry increasing our convention business potential in a competitive marketplace. Louisville currently hosts 12.7 million visitors each year,” said Karen Williams, president and CEO of the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau.
He added, “A hotel project of this scope will help support further tourism growth.”
The Omni Louisville Hotel is slated to open by March 31, 2018, and will have 612 hotel rooms and 225 luxury apartments.
In addition, the complex will have nearly 70,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and three restaurants, including Bob's Steak & Chophouse, a popular steakhouse in existing Omni properties.
There also will be a lobby lounge and a lower-level rooftop pool deck that will have a bar and full kitchen. In a nod to Louisville’s bourbon history and culture, the Omni plans to create a speakeasy-style bar with bowling lanes on the lobby level.
Other planned amenities include a spa and fitness center and an urban grocery and market that will offer an array of groceries and household products.
Robert Rowling, founder of Dallas-based TRT Holdings, the holding company of Omni Hotels & Resorts, was on-hand at the groundbreaking to talk about the importance of the project to Omni and how they plan to incorporate the uniqueness and special culture of Louisville into the design so it will not be a “cookie-cutter property”.
“Of all the things going on at Omni right now, this is probably the one I'm most excited about,” Rowling said.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer added that Omni is an “authentic, unique brand that will become part of our city’s DNA.”
The Omni will offer another high-end brand to leisure travelers and help Louisville attract larger conventions with the addition of more than 600 new hotel rooms.
The timing is bolstered by the renovation and expansion of the adjacent Kentucky International Convention Center, which is set to be complete in August 2018.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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