Convention Center Hotel breaks ground

The Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel has come a long way since voters approved construction of the hotel in May.

Dallas City Mayor Tom Leppert was joined by community leaders Wednesday when the city officially broke ground on the property, which is expected to open in early 2012.

The project, which will be backed by the sale last month of $500 million in revenue bonds, has drawn praise from those wanting to anchor downtown Dallas with a hotel dedicated to conventions and business travelers and consternation from taxpayers who don’t trust or want a publicly funded hotel.

When complete, the 1,000-room, 23-story hotel will be spread across 8 acres in the heart of downtown Dallas. Included in the 6-acre design will be a signature restaurant, lounges, retail, a high-end Mokara Spa, pool deck and other features. The remaining 2 acres are slated for dining, retail and other venues that will enhance entertainment opportunities.

“This has never been about a building,” said Mayor Tom Leppert. “It has always been about positioning Dallas for success and about keeping Dallas competitive. This hotel is a symbol of our city’s confidence and willingness to invest in its future.”

Dallas-based Matthews Southwest is serving as the hotel’s developer.

“We see the hotel as being a great economic engine for additional development around the convention center,” said the firm’s President Jack Matthews. “It is our goal to continue to build a strong connection between downtown and South Dallas, and the hotel will be a true catalyst for helping achieve that vision.”