From a press release –

SECO Development broke ground Wednesday on the site of a new 12-story, four-star hotel and convention center on the south end of Lake Washington. The Hotel at Southport is the third stage of a multi-phase development which includes residences and retail at The Bristol at Southport and The Bristol at Southport Phase II. Between construction and operations, the project should bring 2,310 jobs (primarily) to the Renton area.

The festivities were marked by speeches from U.S. Representative Adam Smith of Washington’s 9th District, Renton Mayor Denis Law, along with Michael Christ of S ECO Development, and Craig Davenport of MulvanneyG2 Architecture.

There was a thunderous lead up to the groundbreaking as the Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline performed and colorful Chinese lions danced and blessed the ground. With a flourish, the lions helped unveil a large banner containing the image of the Hotel at Southport that will soon begin construction.

The luxury hotel will add to the development of the 17.5-acre site which began as a dream for SECO Development founder, Michael Christ, and the City of Renton more than 13 years ago.

Christ purchased the site from Puget Sound Energy in 1999, with the goal of turning the waterfront property into something truly unique. The last element of the final phase will be an office campus.

“I have lived most of my life on Lake Washington, so to see this dream realized is amazing to me,” said Christ in a press release.

City leaders are also embracing this development as a transformational project for Renton.

“The Hotel at Southport is a game-changer for our city,” said Cliff Long, Economic Development Director for the City of Renton. “This is the first full-service hotel in Renton to offer large-scale meeting and convention space. This project will attract new high-end clientele and convention business that will drive both Renton and King County’s economy. The lodging business from Seattle to the airport is booming and we look forward to offering a beautiful place on south Lake Washington for people to stay from all over the world.”

Located next to Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, the Hotel at Southport will offer stunning views of the mountains, Lake Washington and the Seattle city skyline.

Key features include:

• 12-story height to honor the Seahawks’ 12th Man;

• 350 luxury hotel rooms;

• Targeted to be the largest LEED Silver building in Renton;

• 42,000-square-feet of convention space;

• Deep water moorage and marine access; and

• Signature waterfront restaurant

The project is partially financed through the EB -5 program, which allows immigrant investors to build on their dream of living in the United States through investments of $1 million or $500,000. In this particular project EB -5 grants permanent residency to immigrants and their families who invest $500,000 in the Hotel at Southport.

The Hotel at Southport is scheduled for completion in January 2017.