A topping out ceremony was held Thursday for the huge new Embassy Suites and Ruth's and Chris' steakhouse underway in East Brainerd.
Workers on the seven-story project were treated to lunch under a big tent at the DeFoor development on Shallowford Road across from Hamilton Place Mall.
Dave Marvin, president of the Atlanta-based Legacy Property Group that is building and will manage the hotel, said it will be ready in early June of next year.
Mayor Ron Littlefield, who attended the ceremony along with County Mayor Jim Coppinger, noted that th $35 million project is employing over a hundred construction workers.
Ken DeFoor said having an Embassy Suites in Chattanooga was the vision of his brother, Bryon DeFoor. He said they went to Atlanta four years ago to talk with Legacy officials, who operate a similar Embassy Suites-Ruth's Chris in downtown Atlanta.
The hotel will have 204 suites as well as 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
There will be a rooftop hospitality area above a ballroom.
Florida-based Welbro Construction is building the hotel.
It will feature the brand's latest design concept with two styles of suites.
Mr. Marvin said it will be "a very different hotel than anything that exists in the area. I think people are going to respond very well."
Mr. DeFoor said it is "the biggest thing out here since the mall."
Ken DeFoor thanks workers