Marcus Hotels & Resorts appointed Steve Hilton to GM of the 333-room Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District, a hotel scheduled to open in summer 2017. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is a minority investor in the property and will manage the 12-story high-rise hotel.
Hilton will oversee pre-opening and opening activities for Omaha’s newest full-service hotel that will serve as an anchor for the Capitol District, an upscale urban destination dining and entertainment community located in the center of downtown Omaha. The 12-story hotel will offer 20,000 square-feet of flexible meeting space with an additional 16,000 square feet of pre-function space, outdoor event space, hospitality suites, roof-top swimming pool with bar/entertainment area, full-service restaurant and bar, Starbucks café in the lobby, attached parking garage and personalized concierge service.
“Steve is an accomplished hotel veteran with strong operational excellence and a proven track record in managing and opening hotels across the U.S.,” said Joseph Khairallah, president and COO of Marcus Hotels & Resorts. “His proven leadership abilities and strong ties to the Lincoln and Omaha communities will be an asset to both the new Omaha Marriott Downtown hotel and the exciting Capitol District development.”
Prior to joining Marcus Hotels & Resorts, Hilton spent 13 years in GM roles for John Q Hammons Hotels & Resorts in Springfield, Mo., serving most recently as GM of Embassy Suites Convention Center and Courtyard by Marriott Omaha La Vista, both in Omaha. Prior to that role, he served as GM of Embassy Suites in Lincoln, Neb. and Embassy Suites Charleston Convention Center in Charleston, S.C. Hilton’s more than 20-year hospitality career also includes GM positions at Westin Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, S.C.; Sheraton Capital Center in Raleigh, N.C.; and Westchase Hilton and Towers in Houston.
Hilton has played an active role in the communities in which he serves, volunteering for organizations including Meals on Wheels, The Gathering Place and Special Olympics. He has served as chairman for Downtown Lincoln Association and Lincoln Visitors Bureau Travel Council, and served on the board of directors for Sarpy County, Neb. CVB and Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District, the $205-million Capitol District, developed by Shamrock Development, will include 218 luxury residential apartments, Class A office space, a 525-stall parking garage and 90,000 square feet of retail space for restaurants, shops and entertainment, all located around a plaza area that is a modern day town square.
The new Capitol District is located in the heart of downtown Omaha across the street from the CenturyLink Arena & Convention Center and TD Ameritrade Park, home of the NCAA College World Series and other major NCAA and regional events.