Feb. 14, 2013--Convention center officials have selected a developer for a hotel project next to the Southie exhibit hall: Commonwealth Ventures.

The Connecticut-based firm -- teaming with real estate investor Area Property Partners of New York, Starwood Hotels, and Hub-based builder Suffolk Construction -- was picked over Carpenter & Co. for the $140 million project that will bring a pair of mid-priced hotels with a total of 510 rooms to D Street.

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority's board made the decision at its meeting this morning.

The development team, known as CV Properties LLC, will now enter talks to finalize agreements on rent and other matters and aim for a ground-breaking by the end of the year and an opening in April 2015.

The project, which will bring a 330-room Aloft hotel and 180-room Element extended-stay hotel to South Boston, will help satisfy the convention center's need for more hotel rooms in the area to serve conventioneers.

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