RENTON, WA—SECO Development plans to break ground today on the site of a four-star hotel and convention center on the South end of Lake Washington.

The luxury hotel will have 12 stories recognizing the nearby Seattle Seahawks and its “Twelfth Man” fan-base. The Hotel at Southport is the third stage of a multi-phase development which includes residences and retail at The Bristol at Southport and The Bristol at Southport Phase II.

The festivities are to include speeches from Lt. Governor Brad Owen, US Congressman Adam Smith of Washington's 9th District, mayor of Renton Denis Law, Mayor Conrad Lee, along with Michael Christ of SECO Development, and Craig Davenport of MulvanneyG2 Architecture.

The luxury hotel will add to the development of the 17.5 acre site which began as a dream for SECO Development founder, Christ, and the City of Renton more than 13 years ago. Christ purchased the site from Puget Sound Energy in 1999, with the goal of turning the waterfront property into something truly unique. The last element of the final phase will be an office campus.

“I have lived most of my life on Lake Washington, so to see this dream realized is amazing to me,” said Christ.

City leaders are also embracing this development as a transformational project for Renton. “The Hotel at Southport is a game changer for our city,” said Cliff Long, Economic Development Director for the City of Renton. “This is the first full-service hotel in Renton to offer large-scale meeting and convention space. This project will attract new high-end clientele and convention business that will drive both Renton and King County's economy.”

Located next to Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, the Hotel at Southport will offer stunning views of the mountains, Lake Washington and the Seattle city skyline. Key features include:

• 12 story height to honor the Seahawks' Twelfth Man

• 350 luxury hotel rooms

• Targeted to be the largest LEED Silver building in Renton

• 42,000 square feet of convention space

• Deep water moorage and marine access

• Signature waterfront restaurant

The project is partially financed through the EB-5 program, which allows immigrant investors to build on their dream of living in the United States through investments of $500,000 or $1 million. In this particular project EB-5 grants permanent residency to immigrants and their families who invest $500,000 in the Hotel at Southport.

Additional members of the project team include MulvannyG2 Architecture, Sellen Construction, and the Seattle Family Regional Center.

The Hotel at Southport is scheduled for completion in January of 2017.

SECO Development was founded by Michael Christ in 1986. The firm specializes in infill, and high-end mixed-use projects with an emphasis on residential, hotel, office, and retail.