The big reveal is finally here. Downtown Cincinnati’s new $536M headquarter hotel, developed by Portman Holdings, will be a Marriott.
This is an essential addition to Cincy’s transformed Downtown Convention District, and the Marriott will soon join 14 existing properties and 3,000+ walkable hotel rooms in the downtown footprint. Groundbreaking is scheduled for Q3 this year, with completion anticipated by Q2 2028.
The 700-room Marriott will be located directly across the street and connected to the newly rebuilt Convention Center. It will feature:
- More than 62,000 sf of meeting space and a 17,000-sf events terrace
- Full-service, three-meal restaurant and outdoor bar with panoramic
skyline views - A skywalk connecting the hotel to the reimagined Convention Center
- 15,000 square feet of retail space
Convention District Takes Shape & Takes Off
Cincinnati’s compact downtown is undergoing an $800-million transformation that started in July 2024 when the former convention center was closed to make way for a reimagined, $240-million facility that will house modernized meeting rooms, upgraded ballrooms and renovated exhibit hall and pre-function space. The new center is being designed with the capacity to host 75 percent of the existing convention, conference, and meetings market in the United States.
In addition, a new expansive rooftop terrace on the second level will provide stunning views of Cincinnati’s downtown skyline. Major improvements are being made to building systems and technology making it much more energy efficient.
The development will flow into Elm Street Plaza, a 2-acre park and outdoor convention area convenient for event activations and relaxing breakouts. The new plaza will feature:
- Additional outdoor space extended from the renovated Convention Center— great for receptions, parties, live music and food trucks
- Retractable bollards/posts for easy flow and street closures over Elm Street for a seamless event space activation
- Programming and events when not being utilized by convention groups
- New pavilion and walking paths
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