May 05–DURHAM — Duke University will open a 198-room hotel in January, about a half-mile from the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club.
The hotel, named for the son of Washington Duke — James Buchanan "J.B." Duke — is a $62 million project expected to create 120 jobs.
Like the Washington Duke Inn, the hotel — located at 230 Science Drive — will be owned by Duke University and managed by WDI Hospitality.
"Merely steps away from iconic Duke athletic and academic facilities, the JB Duke Hotel will welcome visitors of Durham's flourishing cultural, culinary and athletic scenes, as well as global business and academic travelers," said Gregg Hilker, general manager of the JB Duke Hotel, in a statement. "In January 2017, we will open the doors to the grand entry plaza and usher in a new wave of distinctive hospitality in the Durham and Duke communities."
In addition to 198 rooms that overlook Duke Forest, the hotel will have a full-service restaurant, meeting rooms, 11 suites and two bars. Duke is constructing a 2,200-vehicle parking garage adjacent to the hotel.
Combined with the Washington Duke Inn, there will be nearly 470 guest rooms on Duke's West Campus.
Duke says that the hotel's conference and meeting facilities will be used by the school's MBA programs and for working professionals and non-degree executive education courses hosted by the Fuqua School.
Part of those meeting facilities includes the 20,850 square-foot Thomas Executive Conference Center, a 5,450 square-foot ballroom, two boardrooms and two clasrooms with the capacity to seat 65 people each.
Reservations for the hotel will be accepted beginning this fall.
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