Type: Hotel

Rooms: 146

Developers: Noble Investment Group, Simon Property Group

Architect: Tushie Montgomery Architects

Details: An Atlanta-based developer and the owner of Southdale Center propose a 146-room Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel for the mall property's northeastern corner at 66th Street and York Avenue S.

Noble Investment Group and Simon Property Group last month floated preliminary concepts for the hotel. The two companies have teamed on other projects across the country, including a current effort to build an AC Hotel by Marriott at Simon's Phipps Plaza mall in Atlanta.

In introducing the project to the Edina City Council on Jan. 20, Noble Investment Principal Kevin Grass said his company's analysis showed that the Homewood Suites brand, an extended-stay concept, best fits the market around Southdale, where the average room rate is $137 per night and occupancy stands at 72 percent.

Edina Mayor Jim Hovland and several City Council members expressed disappointment the developers hadn't chosen a more upscale brand, such as AC, for the Southdale spot.

Project architect Gary Tushie, however, pointed out that Hilton allows individualization with the Homewood Suites brand, thus enabling features sought by the city. These include a central gathering area called The Lodge — a highly visible amenity designed to "engage" the sidewalk along 66th Street.

The developers say they hope to obtain city approvals and break ground by June, followed by a 12-month construction schedule.

Don Jacobson is a St. Paul-based freelance writer. He can be contacted at hotproperty.startribune@gmail.com.