Jan. 16–Work is underway on a planned 170-room, six-story Springhill Suites hotel in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

The hotel at North Main and 23rd streets replaces a building that many considered a bit of an eyesore — a red-brick trapezoid known as "the wedge" that formerly housed Wells Fargo bank but was demolished last year.

The new Springhill Suites hotel, which is tentatively scheduled to open in early 2019, will feature a rooftop bar and restaurant by "urban western" Fort Worth chef Tim Love.

It will be a different twist for Springhill Suites, which is part of the Marriott family. The hotel chain caters to business travelers and families, and is typically known for its modest accommodations yet spacious rooms.

"This is not your typical SpringHill Suites," said Hunter Goodwin, President and COO of Oldham Goodwin Group.

That company is building the hotel along with partners Arch-Con Construction, Niles Bolton Associates and Studio 11 Design.

"We have customized the design to fit with the look and feel of the Stockyards, as well as incorporated many full-service concepts into our offered programming," Goodwin said in an email. "The hotel will offer guests the opportunity to experience all that the Stockyards has to offer, including a skyline view of downtown Fort Worth and five-star cuisine."

The top floor of the hotel will include a presidential suite and junior presidential suite, both of which will offer views of the Stockyards and downtown Fort Worth and will be available for weddings or other special events.

The interior also will incorporate the bank's original vault door into its design. Public areas of the hotel will feature furnishings such as large pieces of furniture for casual lounging, as well as artwork and fabrics in the style of the Comanche and Kiowa Nations.

"Being from this area and spending lots of time patronizing the many establishments that make up this incredible town, we have been incredibly sensitive in capturing the essence of what staying in the Stockyards really means," said Stacy Elliston, principal of Studio 11 Design. "The area is steeped in history and tradition and we have no intention of disrupting that expectation for the guest. The material, finishes, colors, and details throughout these public spaces can immediately be recognized as those indicative of this history and these traditions — although used in non-literal, non-traditional, and unexpected ways."

Guests also will be able to visit a covered patio facing Main Street, and a first-floor wine bar.

Many area business owners were happy to see "the wedge" razed, said Keith Powell, president of the Stockyards Business Association.

"People were annoyed with it. It just didn't fit," Powell said in May. "We welcome the new hotel."

This report includes information from the Star-Telegram archives.

Gordon Dickson: 817-390-7796, @gdickson