July 15–One of downtown Akron’s treasured historic buildings, Greystone Hall on High Street, would be transformed into a hotel under a plan involving local and out-of-town partners.
The 1917 structure, an old Masonic building opposite the John S. Knight convention center, is now owned by the city and is used by the convention center for various events.
Project partners apparently also would build a structure adjacent to Greystone, on what is now a parking lot on High Street, opposite a city-owned parking deck.
The apparent plan eventually would expand into the site that is the former High Street Christian Church, whose congregation has moved to Green.
Details of the hotel proposal are to be discussed at a news conference at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Greystone Hall, 103 S. High St.
Partners in the project appear to be Greystone Partners LLC and Amerimar Realty Co.
An advisory the city of Akron issued Monday says that Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, along with officials from Greystone Partners LLC and Amerimar Realty, will appear at the news conference.
City officials have long said downtown Akron needs hotel rooms.
Not having a new or flagship hotel downtown hurts Akron’s ability to attract conventions and other major events, city officials have said.
Previous owners dubbed the building Greystone in reference to the structure’s exterior. The building features a large ballroom, large spaces with high ceilings and loads of architectural detailing.
Two of the building’s most exotic spaces are a onetime lodge room with Egyptian decor and another room designed like a Doric temple.
Amerimar, headquartered in Philadelphia, has involvement in another notable Akron property: the old, yellow brick Firestone headquarters on South Main Street. The company has expressed interest in buying the former headquarters building and transforming it into office space.
The Firestone headquarters previously housed Bridgestone Corp. workers now at the new Bridgestone Americas Tire Operation technical center at South Main and Wilbeth Road.
Bob Cooper, director of CBRE Commercial Real Estate Services of Akron, is a partner in the Firestone project, and also is working with partners in the Greystone project.
Cooper said Monday that the hotel would not open this year.
“We’re still working out all the final details,” he said. “It’s going to take a while.”
Cooper said Bill Ginter of the Akron area also is involved in the project. Ginter is retired vice president of operations of what was formerly called Advanced Elastomer Systems in downtown Akron.
Ginter could not immediately be reached for comment.
City spokeswoman Stephanie York said Monday she had not seen artist renderings of the proposed hotel. She said it is her understanding a new structure would be attached to Greystone.
She said activities at Greystone, including play performances by the Actor’s Summit theater troupe, would continue.
York said hotel partners have not secured a deal with a national hotel brand.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.
