San Manuel hotel near opening
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer 08/22/2008 San Bernardino Sun
HIGHLAND - Construction of the San Manuel Village at Highland Avenue and Highway 330 is wrapping up, with the Hampton Inn and Suites set to open Sept. 10.
The four-story, 62,300- square-foot, 110-room hotel and plaza will be a gateway to mountain resorts, aiming to lure throngs of travelers headed to the mountains or those in town on business, said Peter Watts, executive director of planning and development for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
Room rates will range from $129 a night to $269 a night for larger suites, said Catrinea Houston, director of sales for Hampton Inn and Suites.
A Starbucks is planned to open in the plaza as well, said John Jaquess, the city's community development director. He couldn't confirm what other tenants are planning to open shop in the village, which will feature retail shops, restaurants and a 68,000-square-foot, three- story office building.
Watts said several leases have been secured from prospective tenants, but he declined to name them, saying he wanted to leave that to the businesses themselves.
Tribal officials and developers broke ground on the 12.29-acre site in December 2006.
"It sets a benchmark, in my opinion, that says the city is interested in quality, mixed-use centers with good architecture and design," Watts said.
The market will ultimately decide the speed in which spaces are leased.
"It is hard to tell with the economy right now, but we're cautiously
optimistic," Watts said.
San Manuel Village is one of several new developments under way or in the planning stages in the city.
A Lowe's on Greenspot Road, just east of the 210 Freeway, is set to open by year's end, and other big-box retail stores and restaurants are planned for the area, dubbed the Golden Triangle.
On Base Line, west of the 210 Freeway, the city is planning to build a Town Center.
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