"This planned facility will provide support to tourism, economic development, and revitalization of the Potomac communities," says Sean T. Connaughton, Prince William Board of County Supervisors chairman. "This complex will not only be a first of its kind in Prince William County, but a truly unique blend of luxury hotel, premier golf, and quality conference space not seen in Northern Virginia."

Vienna-based KSI's project is being designed as the focal point of its greater development endeavor, the 1,700-acre mixed-use Harbor Station project along the Potomac River. International architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata + Kassebaum is designing the 272,000-sf facility, which will feature 234 upscale hotel rooms, and 62,000 sf of meeting space, as well as a 13,500-sf spa, fitness and recreation center.

There will also be an 18-hole championship Jack Nicklaus golf course on site, a feature that is expected to be a big draw for visitors. The developer also anticipates that a new Virginia Railway Express station, scheduled to open with the hotel, will assist in bringing in traffic to the locale. And while a flag has not yet been selected for the lodging property, Annapolis, MD-based Thayer Lodging Group is on board as the manager.

Conveniences and amenities notwithstanding, visitors are expected to come to the site because the demand is already there. "Market studies indicate that a full-service conference facility of the type proposed at Harbor Station is needed between Richmond and Baltimore," Thayer founder and chairman Frederic V. Malek notes. If all goes as planned, the hotel property will open its doors in 2007.