"We targeted this market 10 years ago as having a major voidwhen it came to upscale lodging," says Paramount CEO David A.Simon. "But until now, we were unable to find the right site. Thisrepresents an opportunity to satisfy significant demand in an areawith nearly insurmountable barriers to entry."

"This marks the beginning of our development program," says AMCDelancey president/CEO Kenneth P. Balin. "We also have theopportunity to work with the Connells, a third-generation familycompany," developers of the 185-acre, four-building, 1.3-million-sfConnell Corporate Park. Major corporate tenants include AIG,Schering-Plough, EMC, Maher Terminals and Palisades Insurance.

The Westin Berkeley Heights will be franchised by AMC Delanceyand Paramount Hotels under a license from Starwood Hotels, withParamount managing the property. Its 228 rooms will include a19-key component of extended-stay suites, "to accommodate thesignificant market demand for long-term stays," Balin says. Theproperty will also have some 17,000 sf of meeting space, includinga grand ballroom and a 7,000-sf executive meeting center.