The hotel concept at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport cleared a hurdle Monday when Metropolitan Airports Commission approved Grave Hospitality as the project's developer.
MAC staff's selection of Graves goes to the full commission on March 16 for approval. Renderings and design elements were not shared at the committee meeting, but several commissioners requested visual elements be presented at the next meeting.
"We have some really beautiful renderings," said Jim Graves, CEO of the development firm. "We are totally elated about being a part of this process."
It's not final until Minneapolis-based Graves signs the ground lease -- which will be effective for between 40 and 60 years -- but once they get the greenlight, Graves said they are committed to starting immediately.
The goal is to be up and running by the time Minneapolis hosts the Super Bowl in 2018.
Graves Hospitality selects its concept properties carefully, with an eye for unique neighborhoods and local character.
"It will be a luxury, boutique hotel...very friendly, very Minnesotan," Graves said. "It will not be corporate," but will offer the amenities important to both locals and travelers who are in-transit.
Graves declined to reveal the brand, but said the firm already has a hotel partner onboard. The skyway connection to the concourse will be outside of security, but "we think it's really important to be a part of the airport community," he added.
As reported last week, Graves proposal was selected over Golden Valley-based M.A. Mortenson and St. Paul-based Morrissey Hospitality Companies. It will be the first full-service hotel at the MSP airport.
