NASHVILLE, TENN. ­––A new seven-story hotel will revitalize a prime spot on West End Avenue and complement the historic Vanderbilt University campus.  2400 TNWESTEND Avenue, LLC is composed of principals Robert M. Rogers of RMR Investment Company, LLC, Michael V. Harrell, Vista Host Chairman of the Board; and Kathie Long, Vista Host Chief Financial Officer, who are developing a 192-room Homewood Suites designed to reflect the architectural style of Vanderbilt.

The new hotel will be located at 2400 West End Avenue on the site now occupied by F.Y.E. Records retail store and Carmichael Place Shopping Center. Situated at the intersection of 24th Avenue North, the 1.36-acre site was among the earliest commercial developments along West End Avenue in the 1920's and is now a primary entranceway to the Vanderbilt campus. The hotel site will have 280 feet of frontage on West End Avenue.

Nashville-based engineering firm Ragan-Smith, along with the Memphis firm of Bounds and Gillespie Architects have been contracted for the Homewood Suites.  Construction is expected to begin in March 2012 and be completed by early summer 2013.

Robert M. Rogers and his wife, attorney Carolyn Thomas Rogers, both graduated from Vanderbilt in 1975 and are supporters of the University.  “We want to develop a property that fits into the character of the area and integrates well with the campus,” notes Rogers, owner of Robert M. Rogers Investments and RMR Investment Company, LLC of Memphis, TN.

“Metro Councilwoman Edith Langster was instrumental in helping us move the project forward,” said Rogers.  “She is a true professional devoted to seeing high quality development in Nashville.”

Both Rogers and Vista Host have long-term ties to Nashville and the hotel industry.  The companies were partners in the development and opening of the Hampton Inn & Suites on the old Father Ryan High School site.  In that project, bricks from the school were used for the lobby fireplace and the hotel property includes other memorabilia from the school. Rogers conceived the idea for Hampton Inn Vanderbilt, located at 19th and West End Avenue, and assembled the site. Vista Host managed the hotel for nearly twenty-five years.

"We look forward to bringing another successful hotel to Nashville," said Vista Host CEO Michael Harrell. "As hotel operators we see this as prime location for both business and leisure travelers."

Robert M. Rogers Investments is a major landowner in the West End/Vanderbilt area of Nashville and has developed and owned in excess of 70 properties in seven states including shopping centers, office buildings and hotels. The company has developed and owned 14 hotels in Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina, Florida and Mississippi including a hotel adjacent to the campus of Mississippi State University.

The new Homewood Suites will have 192 suites, an indoor pool, 176 underground parking spaces, a meeting room seating 200 people and a boardroom.

Construction financing will be provided by First Tennessee Bank of Memphis, Tenn.  The hotel will be constructed by a joint venture between EBCO General Contractors, LTD. of Cameron, Texas and Hardaway Construction based in Nashville.

“These developers build and operate top notch hotels and this new property will be particularly well received,” said Nashville attorney Tom White who has worked with the two companies.

About Vista Host
Vista Host is a Houston-based hotel management company serving owners of Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, Residence Inn by Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, Towneplace Suites by Marriott and Homewood Suites by Hilton. The company has in-depth experience in managing select service hotels, mid-scale full service hotels, convention hotels and resorts. Founded in 1977 by Michael V. Harrell, Vista Host operates hotels throughout the United States. To learn more, visit www.vistahost.com.