A Las Vegas investor will spend $12 million to renovate, expand, and rebrand a 120-room Clarion Hotel in Bristol located near ESPN and Lake Compounce.
The construction project on the hotel, located on Century Drive , will include a new suite tower, along with renovations to the existing guest rooms, public areas, conference and banquet space and restaurant.
Plans also call for a new outdoor patio area adjacent to the banquet hall and broadening of restaurant operations to accommodate breakfast, lunch and dinner service.
The hotel, which is owned by Las Vegas investor Dr. Gerald A. Niznick, will also eventually change names and become a DoubleTree by Hilton establishment in 2012.
James C. Frenis, of New York-based Prestige Hospitality Group, which manages the property, said the hotel’s franchise agreement with Clarion is due to expire next year, at which point the hotel will transition to  DoubleTree by Hilton.
Frenis the project has received all its permitting from the city and they expect to break ground in six to eight weeks. The construction is expected to be completed in approximately 14 months.Â
Frenis said the project is designed to attract additional business travelers, corporate meetings and conferences, while still appealing to local demand for banquets and guest rooms.Â
Construction activities will be phased to minimize disruptions during renovation activities.
The hotel owners have selected ACG North America, Inc. of Bristol as the design-build firm. Signature Architects of Chelmsford, Mass. and Parker Torres Design of Wayland, Mass. will provide architectural and interior design services.
Prestige Hospitality Group, which took over in November 2010, will continue to manage the property.
The full-service hotel was first built in 1988. Niznick, who does not own any other hotels, has owned the Bristol hotel for nine years.
