OMAHA – This week Iowa-based firm Hawkeye Hotels' plan to develop a new six-story hotel in the heart of the Old Market Entertainment District received final authorization from the Omaha City Council. Branded as Marriott's affordable boutique hotel line, Moxy, the new property will be located at the corner of 12th and Harney Streets. This is the first Nebraska property for Hawkeye Hotels.

Several stages of approval began in April when Council members unanimously voted to authorize the Moxy. Hawkeye Hotels has worked with city officials to meet historic preservation standards and stay true to the historic legacy of the area.

“We are eager to work with the city to further cultivate the Old Market while also protecting the area's rich history,” said Raj Patel, Chief Development Officer of Hawkeye Hotels. "It has been an honor to work closely with not just city officials but also the owners of the Diner and many other community stakeholders in planning the specifics of this lot's transformation."

Moxy is a new Marriott brand stylized to facilitate social interaction amongst guests. The hotel's aesthetics will have a modern luxury feel at an affordable price and cater to the design trends and preferences of millennial and business travelers. Omaha will be the fifth planned location of the Moxy brand in the Midwest region.

The hotel plan includes 105 rooms, fitness center and valet parking. Construction is expected to start in August, and the hotel is expected to generate about 40 good-paying jobs for local residents.

This Moxy's location will afford guests easy access to one of Omaha's most bustling hubs for shopping, dining and nightlife. Street musicians and artists will be in close proximity, as will boutiques, galleries and jazz clubs.

Omaha is home to the headquarters of four Fortune 500 companies and five Fortune 1000 companies, in addition to the largest privately held bank in the United States, the First National Bank of Omaha.

Founded in 1982 with one roadside hotel in Mena, Arkansas, Hawkeye Hotels has become one of the fastest-growing family-owned hospitality companies in the United States. Today, the firm owns and operates over 50 hotels across the country. Hawkeye Hotels employ over 1,500 employees across its portfolio of hotels and corporate offices. The firm maintains lasting affiliations with leading brands, including Marriott, Hilton, InterContinental and Starwood.