July 29, 2015 (Columbus, Ohio) – University Plaza in Columbus, Ohio, will soon welcome visitors to the first Marriott Hotel and Residence Inn shared brand hotel concept. While dual-concept hotels aren’t entirely new, this is the first time Marriott International is pairing its flagship Marriott Hotels brand with another Marriott concept, a nod of confidence to developer and operator Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company.

This move will enable travelers to the busy Ohio State University corridor – with the third largest university campus in the United States and vast Wexler Medical Center – myriad options for full-service meeting and convention spaces, extended stay suites, and more.

Construction commenced mid-June and upon completion, the Marriott Hotel will feature 240 guest rooms and 12,000 square feet of meeting space. The Residence Inn will include 114 studio, one and two-bedroom suites. The hotels will share some amenities including a pool, 2,000-square-foot fitness center and exterior courtyards.

Widely recognized as a top management company in the industry, Concord Hospitality is a ten-time winner of Marriott’s Partnership Circle award, the highest honor Marriott presents to its owner and franchise partners for hospitality excellence.

With 83 properties in the United States and Canada, Concord Hospitality already operates the Residence Inn Columbus Downtown. The concept may be new, but developers are confident it’s the right concept for the market.

“Concord Hospitality is extremely well-respected within the industry, developing and managing hotels that aren’t just profitable, but are great places to stay,” said co-owner and co-developer David Kass, president of Continental Real Estate Company. “We’re impressed with their ability to deliver quality, something they instill in every associate from the front desk to the back of house. Concord really is the ideal partner for this truly unique dual hotel concept.”

“We are honored that Marriott has entrusted us to implement this twin hotel model, the next evolution in convenience and customization,” said Mark Laport, president and CEO of Concord Hospitality. “Extended-stay comfort meets full-service delivery and perks, all built around the diverse, but extremely specific needs of the OSU Corridor with its very busy campus and medical center.”