May 25–CANTON — A towering, sweeping structure will stand as the centerpiece of the Hall of Fame Village.

Industrial Realty Group on Wednesday unveiled drawings by HKS of the proposed hotel and conference center, that will tower above the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

High-level technology will extend to the 243 football-themed rooms in the full-service hotel. A two-story "commissioner suite" is planned for space at the peak of the property.

"This final design concept is consistent with the goal of making Hall of Fame Village world class. This hotel will be extraordinary and unlike anything ever created," Stuart Lichter, IRG president and chairman, said in a news release issued with the drawings.

"An intricate process has been guided by the Hall of Fame's mission that includes the celebration of excellence everywhere, which has resulted in producing this inspiring design," Lichter said in the release.

IRG is serving as master developer for Hall of Fame Village. Plans are for construction of the hotel complex to start in September. The building is set to open in May 2018.

No decision has been made on whether the property will carry the flag of a hotel chain or be branded as the Hall of Fame hotel. The property will be managed by Crestline Hotel & Resorts, one of the country's largest independent hospitality management companies. The team associated with Crestline includes Bruce Smith Enterprises LLC, owned by Hall member Bruce Smith, which has partnered with Crestline at other hotels.

The hotel will feature a grand lobby designed to serve as the "living room for Hall of Fame Village." It will have 40-foot ceilings, a large fireplace, over sized furniture and technology to accommodate huge projection screens. A VIP perch and meeting space will overlook the lobby. A ballroom will seat 600 people for dinner and include breakout meeting rooms.

The hotel's restaurant will have a large operable wall that opens to a view of Hall of Fame Village's "main street," which will be home to more restaurants, retailers, offices and residential space.

Already under construction in Hall of Fame Village is the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and sports-entertainment complex, on the site of the former Fawcett Stadium. The north half of stadium construction and a plaza between the stadium and Hall should be finished in July. Crews also have built three of the proposed youth football fields on land south of McKinley High School.

Other key components for the project include the Center for Excellence and the Hall of Fame/NFL Family Experience. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is at the center of the nearly $500 million development.