WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown announced what he called a major economic project coming to the city.
Brown held a press conference inside City Hall Thursday afternoon announcing plans for a new hotel, banquet facility and convention center coming to Public Square.
28/22 News Community Calendar
City officials say the project is a major economic addition to its downtown.
At a news conference Thursday, it was announced that in just over a year, this building behind me will be home to a brand new hotel.
It's what officials are calling a major economic development for the city of Wilkes-Barre.
"Our city will welcome a new 110 room hotel and banquet facility," announced Mayor George Brown, city of Wilkes-Barre.
"I think what's going to occur with this development is gonna be very very important very special to Wilkes-Barre," expressed Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D) 121st District.
Located at 46 Public Square near North Main Street, the 20 million dollar nationally franchised hotel will feature 110 rooms, a banquet hall, a restaurant, convention spaces and more.
The project is years in the making. It originally had its sights set on the corner of North River and Market Streets at the former home of the Sterling Hotel.
However, developers say the pandemic put a pin in that.
"Covid changed the dynamic of the hotel industry in many ways. The hotels essentially shut down. Ultimately making it almost impossible or very challenging to obtain financing for the project. Ultimately resulting in cost increases of almost 100 percent for construction," explained George Albert, project manager/ developer.
That site on Market Street will be listed for sale soon.
In the meantime, city officials are excited about this new hotel, saying it will attract tourists, events, and hundreds of jobs.
"Folks this is gonna be a major major economic development plus for the city. New jobs. Ok? Not just the jobs in the construction field but permanent jobs. People that will be working at the hotel," said Mayor Brown.
The hotel franchise was not named at the announcement.
The project will be made possible with the help of some state funding.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall, with a grand opening slated for late in 2026.
