The recent loss of hotels to apartment development in Syracuse is about to get some relief. A developer has announced its intentions to build an $87 million-dollar Hilton hotel with 245 rooms supporting businesses and tourists and special occasions. Sun Companies plans to build the hotel on South Warren Street at the current “M. Lemp Park.” The nine-story hotel will feature ground-level retail and on top of the 9th story, an event space, a grand ballroom, and Syracuse’s first roof-top restaurant and bar. Mayor Ben Walsh sees it as a big vote of confidence in Syracuse when a major developer wants to build in our city.
“The fact that Micron is coming here got their attention and so, I think it’s a sign we are on the radar of developers like Sun that do work all around the country and largely have invested in larger cities that see Syracuse as an up and coming mid-sized city,” Walsh said.
Walsh said both the city and the county were actively working to recruit a developer. When finished, the hotel will stand similar in size and standards as the Marriot Syracuse downtown.
“Hotel Syracuse is doing very well. But, again, in order to be competitive for the types of events that we want to draw to this community, we needed more. So, we really think the hotels are going to complement each other,” he said.
Its construction will employ roughly 330 workers and another 52 permanent employees once it opens. Walsh expects development to begin this spring or summer, beginning the demolition of an existing parking garage funded through a $400,000 dollar state grant awarded to the city. The new Onondaga Hotel is aiming to open its doors in 2026.