Hilton Hotels Corp. will manage the hotel with a minorityownership interest. Apollo Real Estate Investment Fund V and RidaDevelopment Corp. will have a majority ownership of the hotel. Thehotel is scheduled to open summer 2009. "We are excited to helpfill the need for high-end hotel rooms in the area," says HiltonHotels Corp. senior vice president of Hilton Brand management JeffDiskin.

The 18-storyhotel will capitalize on the Orlando convention market,which currently offers few hotels within walking distance of theconvention center. It will feature 52 suites and direct access tothe convention center's south concourse through a pedestrian skybridge. The hotel will also feature 130,000 sf of meeting spacewith a 50,000-sf ballroom, a 30,000-sf junior ballroom and 38meeting rooms. Also included will be a 15,000-sf spa and fitnesscenter, an Italian restaurant, fine dining restaurant, sports bar,lobby lounge, pool bar and grill and deli.

"Orlando has wanted this project for some time," Hiltonspokeswoman Lisa Cole tells GlobeSt.com. "Discussions were startedbefore 9/11 on this project."