Olympia Hotel Management Tapped as Operating Partner
August 18, 2020 – Portland, ME – Mountain Shore Properties (MSP), a Charleston, South Carolina-based developer, is planning to open a new Hyatt House hotel in Tallahassee’s Railroad Square Art District. The upscale, extended stay Hyatt House Tallahassee Capitol – University is currently under construction and scheduled to open in February 2021.
The five-story, 80,000 square foot property will have 120 guestrooms, including 77 with full kitchens, a large patio with outdoor bar service, an outdoor pool, a fitness room and an 846-square-foot meeting room. There will be 6,000 square feet of retail space djacent to the hotel.
Railroad Square Art District is a unique destination for art, culture, and creative small businesses in Florida’s state capital. The eight acres of brightly painted historic warehouses was transformed in the late 70’s by artistic visionary Nan Boynton, who co-founded Railroad Square’s first art gallery, the 621 Gallery. Art studios and eclectic boutiques followed as Railroad Square was gradually transformed into Tallahassee’s Art District. It now welcomes thousands of visitors to its monthly First Friday Festival, under the ownership of Nan’s son and daughter, Adam Boynton Kaye and Lily Boynton Kaye.
“As the state capital and home to both Florida A& M University and Florida State University, Tallahassee is a unique destination,” said Chief Executive Officer Stephen Wendell of MSP. “This project promises to be a great collaboration with the Kaye’s as we add a rich sense of Tallahassee’s artistic character and personality throughout the new hotel and integrate it with Railroad Square.”
A new exterior mural, a collaboration between Mountain Shore Properties, Railroad Square, and artist Kollet Hardeman, has just been unveiled. Called Greetings From the Capital City Tallahassee Florida, it functions as a gateway from the Capital Cascades Greenway into Railroad Square Art District. Highlighting various unique features of both the city of Tallahassee and the art district specifically, it has already become a selfie destination for Instagrammers. The hotel will also celebrate local artists with plans for an outdoor sculpture by Mark Dickson, as well as artwork in the lobby and common areas by Christl Grow, Robert Saltarelli and Perdita Ross, with photography in the guest rooms by Katie Clark.
“We could not have asked for a better fit in a developer than Mountain Shore Properties,” said Lily Boynton Kaye, the co-owner of Railroad Square Art District. “They have demonstrated their commitment to the local community by incorporating colorful elements and local artwork into both the interior and exterior. Hyatt House Tallahassee Capitol – University will offer the unique experience of exclusively showcasing local artists whose studios are at their doorstep.”
The hotel will serve as the new entry to the Railroad Square Art District. MSP has selected Olympia Hotel Management (OHM) as the operator for Hyatt House Tallahassee Capitol – University.
“We’ve been very pleased to work with OHM on other hotel projects and their deep understanding of campus hospitality and the importance of integrating the community into the fabric of a new hotel through contemporary artwork is a real bonus when it comes to this property. Further, given the strength of the award-winning Hyatt House brand, this hotel is sure to deliver a consistent, quality guest experience for business and leisure travelers alike, ”says Wendell.
MSP developed and opened the Hampton Inn & Suites Tallahassee Capitol – University in 2018, which OHM also manages. The success of that property led MSP to consider an extended stay property that they believe will build on the successful momentum they have achieved with the Hampton Inn. Olympia currently manages three other hotels in the MSP portfolio.
“We share a solid track record for creating award-winning properties” said Chief Growth Officer John Schultzel of OHM, “so we welcome this opportunity to collaborate on another premier select service project with MSP.”
