Jan. 12–The 135-room Courtyard by Marriott Baton Rouge Downtown is set to open in mid-June.
Up to 50 people will work at the downtown hotel, which also will include a Starbucks. The hotel is being developed by the Windsor Aughtry Hotel Group, the South Carolina firm that developed the Hampton Inn & Suites at Main and Lafayette streets. Work started on the $23.6 million Marriott in October 2016. A topping out ceremony was held Thursday at the Downtown Development District office to mark the installation of the highest beam.
David Berger, vice president of operations for Hospitality America, which will manage the hotel, joked that the location at the intersections of Florida and Third streets is like being at "Boardwalk and Park Place" in terms of desirability. It is being built at the site of the Istrouma Hotel, Baton Rouge's first hotel.
