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AC by Marriott opens in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The newest AC Hotel by Marriott property is open in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla. The new eight-story AC Hotel by Marriott St. Petersburg Downtown has 172 guestrooms along with 2,500 square feet of shared space, 1,800 square feet of meeting and event space, a fitness center and an outdoor pool.

OTO Development, which is part of The Johnson Group, has purchased and will operate the hotel.

“This AC Hotel is the perfect complement to St. Pete’s lively downtown vibe,” said GM Ben Walters, who heads an executive team that includes Director of Sales Christine Moore and F&B Director Edelmira Delgado. “The overall design balances form and function, while small details provide an authentic sense of place.”

The collaborative lobby includes the brand’s signature AC Kitchen for breakfasts and an AC Lounge. The eighth-floor rooftop includes Cane & Barrel, a Cuban-inspired restaurant and bar. Designed to capture the colorful energy of Havana nights, the venue has seating within an interior lounge and a terrace overlooking Tampa Bay.

Located in the waterfront arts district, the hotel is walkable to more than 100 restaurants, breweries, recreation sites and cultural venues. The project is the hospitality portion of Ascent St. Petersburg, a mixed-use project developed by Greystar Real Estate Partners and Concord Hospitality. With Greystar serving as general contractor, hotel project partners include R2L:Architects, architecture; DLR Group, hotel interior design; and Ellis Adams Group, Cane & Barrel concept and interior design.

With this purchase, which was brokered by Preston Reid, formerly with Berkadia, AC Hotel St. Petersburg Downtown becomes the seventh AC Hotel in OTO Development’s owned portfolio.