The project is one of the first new-build hotels created withthe brand image and services mandated under the relaunching of theHoliday Inn Express brand by InterContinental Hotels Group.Portland, OR-based Wright Development is the general contractor onthe project.

AHDP president Clyde Harris tells GlobeSt.com that the projectis expected to cost $9 million. "The project is located on AbercornStreet, which is the main thoroughfare in Savannah," Harris says."It's also located near several hospitals in an area that'sgrowing." Harris Hotel Group, also headed by Harris, will managethe property.

Harris says the project was also attractive because the 172-roomHoliday Inn located about two miles from the new hotel will nolonger be a Holiday Inn as of February 2009. "There will be a largenumber of Priority Club members looking for rooms," he says.