EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

Haverhill

January 27, 2013

Upscale hotel planned for Haverhill

Company targets site off I-495, near NECC

HAVERHILL — A worldwide chain plans to build a 60-unit hotel on Amesbury Road near Northern Essex Community College.

Michael Migliori, an attorney for local developer King Weinstein, said the plan is to begin construction on the $4.5 million “boutique” hotel early this summer and open it in the fall.

The 3.6-acre property is just off Interstate 495’s exit 52, in the northern part of the city.

The Lexington by Vantage company plans the project. Lexington by Vantage operates upscale inns and hotels in key cities around the world and are part of Vantage Hospitality Group, the eighth largest hotel company in the world, according to the company’s Web site.

Other Lexington hotels are in places such as Key West, California, Canada and China. There are three in New York, but this would be the first one in New England.

Mayor James Fiorentini said a key part of the project is that the developer will pay for Haverhill to bring the city sewer line about a half-mile up Amesbury Road (Route 110) to the hotel. Sewer service is something residents and businesses in that part of the city have wanted for a long time, he said.

“In addition to real estate tax revenue and revenue from our local hotel tax, the infrastructure improvements that are coming with this will bring jobs and economic activity to that part of the city,” the mayor said. “The extension of the sewer line means businesses and eventually residents will be able to hook up to it. This will allow existing business to stay and expand.”

Fiorentini said he has been aware of Lexington’s interest in the city for about a year.

“They told us the college is the big draw, as well as the site’s proximity to the highway,” Fiorentini said, referring to the community college and I-495. “This is another example that people are interested in coming to Haverhill.”

The project needs a special permit from the City Council before it can go forward. The council is expected to schedule a public hearing on the plan at Tuesday’s meeting. The hearing is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 26 at City Hall.

The property is owned by PAM Realty Trust and includes room for 78 parking spaces, according to plans on file at City Hall. Weinstein is developing the project under the name Miami Stuart Realty, LLC.

The hotel would be the third in the city, joining the 126-room Hampton Inn on Bank Road and the 110-room Best Western on Lowell Avenue.

“This will be the first hotel to come to Haverhill in about 40 years,” the mayor said.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Haverhill

Photos of the Week
New England News
Investigators at home of Patriots' Aaron Hernandez Comcast awards scholarship to Mass. high school seniors Baby Café in Worcester, Mass. a resource for overwhelmed moms Worcester, Mass. police chief happy to have back reinstated officers Worcester City Manager ready to receive his evaluation What’s Goin’ On: Kim and Kanye’s baby name game Interest high in Mass. medical pot Call to end violence after crime spike in Boston Markey, Gomez clash in final US Senate debate Investigators at home of Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez Police investigate possible homicide in North Attleboro, Mass. Vt. coffee giant honored for energy efficiency New slogan for Portland, Maine reflects love for life Body found in North Attleboro, Mass. is a possible homicide Hitman’s testimony difficult for victims’ families Former hitman John Martorano provides chilling testimony in Bulger trial NH seacoast residents in cleanup mode after fast-moving storm Body found in North Attleboro, Mass. is a possible homicide Terrifying walk down memory lane in Bulger trial US Senator Cowen speaks to students at Chandler Elementary School