Officials break ground on hotel adjacent to Mercy campus

Officials broke ground this morning on the first TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotel in Springfield.

The 11 a.m. ceremony at 2009 S. National Ave. marked the start of a five-story, extended-stay hotel immediately adjacent to Mercy Hospital Springfield. Officials had planned to break ground on the hotel Feb. 21, but rescheduled due to inclement weather, according to a news release.

"We are pleased with the continued growth of the TownePlace Suites brand in the Springfield area," said Loren Nalewanski, vice president and global brand manager of TownePlace Suites, in the release. "Providing an upscale residential atmosphere, this TownePlace Suites hotel offers an appealing alternative to more standard hotel rooms designed for shorter stays."

A development of RTT Hospitality LLC, the project brings together partners O'Reilly Hospitality, Rita Baron of architecture firm Baron Design & Associates LLC and Terry Reynolds of C. Arch Bay Co.

Baron Design & Associates designed the hotel, with construction work by general contractor Larry Snyder & Co., the release said.

TownePlace Suites would be the sixth hotel developed and managed by O'Reilly Hospitality. The company operates the Doubletree Hotel and Hilton Garden Inn in Springfield; Baymont Inn & Suites in Branson; Tulsa Holiday Inn in Tulsa, Okla.; and Yellowstone Valley Lodge in Montana.