The City Council on Tuesday night approved the rezoning allowing the construction of a boutique hotel by the Walnut Street Bridge.
The council responded to the wishes of neighbors by specifying that the hotel would supply a minimum of 110 off-street parking spaces.
The property is limited to a boutique hotel or residential for up to 20 years.
Vision Hospitality Group said it plans to build Chattanooga’s first high-end independent boutique hotel on Walnut Street at Aquarium Way.
There is a dental office at the site currently.
Vision Hospitality Group’s President and CEO Mitch Patel said he anticipates a 2016 opening date. The five-floor, 90-room building would provide valet parking to all guests and employees of the hotel. In addition, plans call for a small restaurant featuring a modern Southern menu that features locally grown food that would be enjoyed either inside or outside on the hotel’s terrace. Other amenities include a rooftop lounge and pool as well as a spa that like the restaurant would cater to locals as well as visitors to Chattanooga.
He said the hotel would feature local art and would work with area businesses to enrich the experience for hotel guests. He noted, “When guests ask about some of the art we’ll have on display, we want to be able to direct them to where they can purchase similar pieces. And, we can’t think of a better way to end a day in Chattanooga than finding a piece of chocolate from Rembrandt’s on a pillow at turn down. There are so many local partnerships that will be integral to the success of this hotel. We’re very excited about what the future holds.”
Mr. Patel earlier said there are plans for a mini park along Walnut Street from the bridge to a new roundabout in front of the hotel. Valets would be stationed at the roundabout.