Renaissance Tower Taking Time

There’s been plenty of talk surrounding the progress of the Renaissance Tower hotel east of the Fayetteville Square.
The project is moving forward even though the 280-foot tall crane sitting on the corner of West Mountain Street and North College Avenue hasn’t moved since early fall. Utilities already have been rerouted for the 18-story hotel and developers Richard Alexander and John Nock hope to start excavation in a couple of weeks.
Money is not being cut, though consultants are deciding on model room details, like whether to go with gold-plated or brush-nickel faucets, to stay around the estimated $45 million budget.
Going through city and the Marriott franchise processes as well as actual renovation of an entire city block will take time, but should only improve the project. It originally was estimated to cost $22 million and be finished this fall.
“It’s taking longer and will cost more than we thought, but the end result will be something we all can be proud of,” Alexander said.
The developers also are in the middle of a $6 million to $7 million renovation of the Cosmopolitan Hotel on the square, among other projects.