Lower Manhattan has seen substantial new hotel construction since 9/11

In the past decade, Lower Manhattan has seen an unparalleled boom in hotel construction. South of Canal Street alone, nearly 30 hotels have opened or soon will -- including major international chains, smaller boutique-style franchises, privately owned hotels, and extended-stay lodging. Hotels now dot the street grid of the Financial District, Tribeca, Chinatown, and adjacent neighborhoods, opening in converted former office buildings, as well as in new high- and low-rises.

The addition of more than 5,000 hotel rooms since 9/11 already is benefitting the local economy. Travelers are increasingly choosing to stay in Lower Manhattan for its plentiful mass transit, rebuilt parks and green spaces, expanded shopping options, and rich history. The areas unique heritage also includes a large number of major tourist attractions -- from the World Trade Center site and Memorial, to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), to the South Street Seaport Historic District and Brooklyn Bridge.

Following is a recap of several of the hotels that are now welcoming visitors to Lower Manhattan, or soon will.

Now Under Construction:

99 Washington Street - Holiday Inn

At the corner of Washington and Rector Streets, the worlds tallest Holiday Inn hotel is rising up to 52 stories. Replacing a former parking garage, 99 Washington Street is one of several new high-rise developments in the area south of the World Trade Center. Contractor Cava Construction is building the new tower, which is expected to open in late 2013.

95 Henry Street - Marriott

Chinatowns new Marriott Hotel is under construction at 95 Henry Street, between Pike and East Broadway. Work on the seven-story building began in spring 2010, and contractor United Construction plans to complete the project in late 2012. The building topped out in April 2012, and faade work continues late summer.

49 Ann Street - Aloft Hotel

Construction of a new 18-story began in February 2012 at 49 Ann Street, between Nassau and William Streets. The new boutique hotel is part of a chain affiliated with the W Hotel, and is replacing two low-rise structures that were demolished in summer 2011. Contractor Metal Stone Construction is building the new hotel for developer the Lan Group. The hotel tower is expected to open at the north end of the Financial District in spring 2014.

32 Pearl Street - Hampton Inn

The former apartment building at 32 Pearl Street is now being rebuilt as a Hampton Inn. Located between Wall and Broad Street, the new eight-story hotel will offer more rooms to travelers just south of the NYSE security zone. Contractor W & L Group plans to complete the hotel conversion in mid-summer 2012.

30 Fletcher Street - Fairfield Marriott

Initial construction on the new 32-story Fairfield Marriott at 30 Fletcher Street kicked off in April 2012. Located at the northeast corner of Front Street, the hotel will be the tallest hotel in the South Street Seaport area. Developer Rinaldi Group is building the tower, which is slated for completion in early 2014.

24 John Street

The former six-story office building at 24 John Street is being converted to a privately owned 21-story hotel. Located between Broadway and Nassau Streets, the building will have new steel added to raise its total height. Foundation work took place in early 2010, and Westbury Construction is continuing superstructure erection through summer 2012. Occupancy is expected by early 2013.

Now Open:

102 North End Avenue - Conrad Hotel

The new Conrad Hotel opened March 19, 2012, at 102 North End Avenue in Battery Park City. Located between Vesey and Murray Streets, the 16-story luxury hotel renovated the former Embassy Suites, bringing 463 suites to the neighborhood, as well as new full-service restaurant Atrio and rooftop bar Loopy Doopy. The latter takes its name from the 13-foot high original Sol LeWitt piece installed in the hotels atrium, entitled Loopy Doopy Purple and Blue 1999. The hotel anticipates earning LEED Gold certification for sustainable building practices and design.

123 Washington Street - W Hotel

New Yorks newest W Hotel opened in July 2010 at 123 Washington Street, at the corner of Albany Street. Designed by architects Gwathmey Siegel and built by contractor Tishman Construction, the 57-story tower is part luxury hotel and part condominium spanning 400,000 square feet. Developer Moinian Group replaced the 10-story office building that had been irreparably damaged there on September 11, 2001, and was deconstructed in 2005.

144 Washington Street - World Center Hotel & Club Quarters

Seven years since developer Masterworks took ownership, the building at 144 Washington Street (formerly 130 Cedar Street) officially opened on June 9, 2010, as the new World Center Hotel. The former 12-story commercial/industrial tower was converted to a hotel following an extensive post-9/11 abatement process and the addition of eight more stories. Located at the corner of Washington and Albany Streets, it is now home to the public World Center Hotel, with a block of floors operating as the members-focused Club Quarters chain. The new hotel is home to 169 guest rooms, amenities, corporate apartments, and the View of the World Terrace Club -- a membership and guest restaurant and bar overlooking the World Trade Center site.

85 West Broadway - The Smyth Tribeca

The new Smyth Tribeca Hotel opened at the southeast corner of West Broadway and Chambers Street (85 West Broadway) in February 2009. Part of the Thompson Hotel Group, the 13-story, mixed-use tower was designed by BBG/Architects and developed by New York-based Pavarini McGovern. It features 100 guestrooms in a nine-floor base, with an additional 15 condominiums on the four floors above, as well as the Plein Sud restaurant on the ground floor.

126 Water Street - Holiday Inn Express

A 26-story Holiday Inn Express, located at the corner of Wall and Water Streets,was completed in summer 2010 in theFinancial District. Situated at 126 Water Street, the hotel has 112 guest rooms.

370 Canal Street - Sheraton

At the intersection of West Broadway and Canal Street, a 21-story Sheraton opened in summer 2010. The hotel, located at 370 Canal Street, offers 360 guest rooms, and is one of only a few open on the west side of New Yorks Chinatown district.

8 Stone Street - Doubletree

A42-story hotel at 8 Stone Street opened at the south end of the Financial District in fall 2010. Now a Doubletree Hotel, the building is home to 400 guest rooms, a restaurant, and 4,500 square feet of meeting space.

20 Maiden Lane - Wyndham Garden

At 20 Maiden Lane, the McSam Hotel Group opened a new 126-room Wyndham Garden hotel in December 2008. The 20-story hotel was erected in just over 18 months.

Construction Soon to Begin:

6 Platt Street

Construction of a new 30-story hotel is soon to begin 6 Platt Street (also known as 217 Pearl Street). Developer Golden Pearl is converting the former parking lot to a high-rise hotel in the heart of the Financial District. The tower is expected to be complete in early 2014.

33 Beekman Street - Homewood Suites

Construction at 33 Beekman Street is expected to begin soon, transforming the former parking lot to a new Homewood Suites. Located at the corner of William Street, across Beekman from the new 8 Spruce Street residential tower, the 32-story hotel will be one of the tallest buildings in the Civic Center neighborhood. The official construction schedule is anticipated soon.

95 West Broadway - Cosmopolitan Hotel

The historic Cosmopolitan Hotel is expected to undergo an expansion that includes construction of a four-story addition. Located at 95 West Broadway the corner of Reade Street, the initial plan involved erecting the new stories atop the existing two-story building, while the neighboring seven-story Cosmopolitan Hotel is renovated. However, the construction plan is being redesigned and a revised schedule may soon be announced.

133 Greenwich Street

In late April 2012, Hidrock Realty acquired the 6,160-square-footdevelopment site at 133-135 Greenwich Street in Lower Manhattan. According to news reports, Hidrock plans to develop a 28-floor, 300-room hotel at the site, for an estimated cost of $70 million. More details are expected later in 2012.

Additional hotels that may soon announce construction plans include 99 Church Street, 50 West Street, 111 Washington Street, and 5 Beekman Street.

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