Starwood to Open Two New Hotels in Boston

Starwood has unveiled plans for a dual-branded hotel development in Boston featuring its Aloft and Element brands.

Set to open in 2016, the 330-room Aloft Boston Waterfront and 180-room Element Boston Waterfront will be situated on D Street, directly across the street from the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

The hotels will be owned and developed by a partnership between majority equity partner Ares Management-controlled funds and CV Properties on a 5.2 acre-parcel of land leased from the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA).

Construction on the $158 million project is already underway and, upon completion, the hotels will be operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts under the Aloft and Element brand flags.

Financing will be provided by RBS Citizens Financial Group and Santander Bank in the amount of $97 million.

“We look forward to opening this dual-branded Aloft and Element hotel complex as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the South Boston Waterfront, the city’s fast-growing business and innovation district,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “Element promotes a life in balance with its emphasis on wellness and sustainability, while Aloft resonates with the next generation of travelers who appreciate its distinctive urban design, intuitive technologies and live music scene at the W XYZ Bar.”

Aloft Boston Waterfront will offer more than 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space, a Splash pool, fitness center, and Re:fuel by Aloft – a one-stop grab & go food and beverage area. Guests will also be able to enjoy free access to local emerging artists as well as some of the hottest bands with Live at Aloft Hotels programming at the W XYZ bar.

Element Boston Waterfront will offer light-filled studios featuring a fluid design, fully equipped kitchens and spa-inspired bathrooms. Facilities will include a fitness center, pool, and approximately 1,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Guests can stay on the move with Element’s complimentary bikes to borrow and enjoy the brand’s signature RISE breakfast and RELAX evening reception.

The 13-story Aloft Boston Waterfront will be separated from the eight-story Element Boston Waterfront by a hotel drive that runs perpendicular to D Street and provides access to the porte-cochere of both hotels. The Aloft and Element will share a 120-space parking lot and each hotel will include more than 8,000 square feet of street-level retail and restaurant space.

“The addition of the Element and Aloft Boston Waterfront hotels on D Street will provide needed support to the BCEC and the entire South Boston Waterfront for its many business and leisure travelers,” said Boston Mayor, Martin J. Walsh. “I look forward to celebrating the opening of these two new and modern properties, and congratulate the MCCA, CV Properties and Starwood on a successful collaboration.”

Aloft and Element Boston Waterfront will be less than three miles from Logan International Airport and convenient to the Back Bay, the financial district, and leading downtown attractions including Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall.

It will be the second Aloft-Element dual hotel development in the Boston area, joining Aloft and Element Lexington, which opened in 2008.