JEKYLL ISLAND, GA-Construction officially began today on the $41-million Westin Jekyll Island hotel here.

Jekyll Oceanfront Hotel, LLC a joint venture comprised of Leon N. Weiner & Associates, Inc. of Wilmington, DE and New Castle Hotels & Resorts of Shelton, CT staged groundbreaking ceremonies for the project today at the construction site adjacent to the recently opened Jekyll Island Convention Center.

The 200-room hotel, when opened in September 2014, will also feature meeting and banquet facilities as well as a full-service restaurant. The new hotel is a component of the Jekyll Island Beach Village project.

The Beach Village project, developed by the Jekyll Island Authority, is part of a plan to reinvigorate the island's tourism economy and includes the only beachfront convention center in the southeast. The 128,000 square foot Jekyll Island Convention Center opened in May 2012 and is the centerpiece of the project, which also includes an oceanfront promenade, village green, restaurants, retail shopping and Great Dunes Park.

“With the groundbreaking of the new Westin, we are seeing one more step toward completing our end goals of island revitalization,” states Richard Royal, chairman Jekyll Island Authority. “This is a thrilling day for all of us and we have much to be excited about as we look to Jekyll's future.”

“Jekyll Island's style of laidback luxury and environmental awareness meshes perfectly with Westin's goal of creating an oasis of well being for travelers,” says Arik Kono, vice president North America development and acquisitions for Starwood Hotels and Resorts. “Westin will reach the 200th hotel mark later this year and with that milestone in sight, we're proud to join with our longtime development partners, New Castle Hotels and Resorts, in setting the stage for the next 100 Westins worldwide.”

Once operational, the hotel will be operated by New Castle Hotels % Resorts.