MONTCLAIR, N.J., April 19, 2016 — Today, The Pinnacle Companies, in a joint venture with The Hampshire Companies and investment partner Circle Squared Alternative Investments, announced the groundbreaking of "The MC" hotel, the first full-service hotel to open in Montclair since the Hotel Montclair closed in 1938. Located at the intersection of Bloomfield Avenue and Orange Road, the 120,000-square-foot hotel will have 151 rooms and suites.
When open, the hotel will become part of the Autograph Collection, Marriott International's exclusive portfolio of independent hotels. The luxury boutique hotel will include a rooftop bar, farm-to-table restaurant, a 12,000 square foot conference and event space, as well as a public art atrium and plaza.
"Montclair has long been known as a cultural destination where visitors can experience the best in art, music and fine cuisine," said Montclair's Mayor Robert D. Jackson. "The MC boutique hotel will soon afford visitors and locals the opportunity to take advantage of all we have to offer with an extended stay at a world-class hotel in a culturally rich and vibrant community." Other features will include a covered porte-cochere entryway with valet parking, a lobby library, available board rooms and a state of the art fitness center. An express elevator will take visitors up to the rooftop bar offering panoramic views of Manhattan to the east and the Eagle Rock Reservation to the west. An outdoor public plaza connected to a two-story glass atrium creates a four-season gathering place for the community.
"We're delighted to break ground on this one-of-a-kind hotel that will create a new gateway to downtown Montclair," said Brian M. Stolar, President and CEO, The Pinnacle Companies. "The MC is the result of planning and coordination with Township leaders for over five years to create a new hospitality amenity for the public that will dramatically increase the economic vitality of the Township."
The MC hotel development team will work with the community to develop a wide range of cultural activities for the rooftop bar area, such as morning yoga, programs with Jazz House Kids and the Montclair Film Festival. The hotel will feature art exhibitions in the two-story art atrium. The MC hotel also expects to collaborate on numerous hospitality opportunities and events with Montclair State University, which has 20,000 students just 2.5 miles away.
"Montclair's rich history and culture is what drew us to this project and The MC hotel will be a destination that attracts visitors but will also emerge as a favorite place for locals to gather," said Norman A. Feinstein, Vice Chairman of The Hampshire Companies. "This iconic project would not have been possible without the tremendous support of Mayor Robert D. Jackson, members of Montclair's council, Circle Squared Alternative Investments, our investors, and our partner, The Pinnacle Companies, whose presence in Montclair and decades of development experience helped make this development a reality."
"The MC is truly an exciting opportunity and project. The town's energy and Marriott International selecting it as part of its renowned Autograph Collection portfolio showcases what a special place Montclair is to live and visit," said Jeffrey Sica, Founder and President, Circle Squared Alternative Investments. "Together The Hampshire Companies and The Pinnacle Companies will strive to bring this marquee project to life, becoming part of Montclair's rich history and community."
The MC will be located at the intersection of Bloomfield Avenue and Orange Road on the western end of Montclair's central business district. An affluent suburb of New York City, Montclair is located approximately ten miles northwest of Newark International Airport and 13 miles west of Manhattan.
The hotel is expected to be complete by early 2018.
