Concord Hospitality Enterprises has broken ground on a new hotel on the 172-acre park site, EpicCentral, in Grand Prairie, Texas. Concord Hospitality is overseeing development of the project and will manage the hotel and conference center property when it opens in 2023.
The dual-branded Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites hotel will have 276 rooms and a shared 10,000-square-foot ballroom and convention center. The Hilton Garden Inn will have 129 guestrooms, an executive lounge, a restaurant, pool, fitness room and business services. The Homewood Suites will have 147 studio, one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens.
Designed by Merriman Anderson Architects and built by Arch-Con Corporation, the dual-branded property's lobby will showcase work from local artists. Interiors will reflect the flora and fauna of the north Texas prairie in tones of blue, green and whites, with accents of orange and red.
The conference center will include a 10,000-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,000 attendees. The ballroom can also be divided into five conference rooms. An executive conference room with seating for 10 is also located across the hall.
“The dual-branded hotels will be within close proximity to leisure destinations and events, including Dallas Cowboys football games, Texas Rangers baseball games, Six Flags over Texas and more,” said Mark Laport, president and CEO at Concord Hospitality. “In addition, the hotels are well positioned to support business travelers coming to the area's aerospace firms and other local corporations. The opportunities and uses for this project are endless, and we look forward to being part of the success we are sure will come.”
Being built by the City of Grand Prairie, EpicCentral will include six restaurant spaces, a parking garage and water/light shows on the lakes, as well as interactive technology experiences on land. A large outdoor open space with a covered stage for events, concerts and programs will surround the properties.
The City of Grand Prairie engaged Merritt Development Group to secure restaurants and other retail tenants surrounding the hotels.
“Grand Prairie voters approved a $75 million bond package in May 2021, which is allowing us to build this exciting project,” said Mayor Ron Jensen. “Because new revenue streams are created by the project, and the city will be able to take advantage of state incentives, EpicCentral and its amenities, including the hotels and conference center, will be an economic generator for the city and a tourist destination for the state. Also included in EpicCentral are Epic Waters indoor water park, the Epic Arts, fitness and entertainment center, Central Bark dog park, Bolder Adventure indoor adventure park, Chicken N Pickle farm fresh restaurant, and indoor/outdoor pickleball courts and PlayGrand Adventures all abilities play ground.”