Saint John could soon get a hotel near its airport after the city’s planning advisory committee (PAC) unanimously approved a rezoning and variance application for a development on Loch Lomond Road.
The project would partially rezone 615-631 Loch Lomond Rd. from mid-rise residential to business park commercial to allow the construction of a five-storey Hyatt hotel and associated parking.
The project would be the first Hyatt hotel in the city.
Hyatt Hotels is a U.S.-based global hospitality company that owns, manages and franchises hotels, resorts and all-inclusive properties in more than 80 countries.
The development is proposed by Ontario-based real estate firm Lakeview Development Holdings Inc.
Lakeview Development CFO Umar Mehmood said in the July 21 meeting Hyatt Hotels approached the firm after reviewing its property portfolio and expressing interest in the Loch Lomond Road site.
Mehmood said representatives from Hyatt and Lakeview later visited Saint John, where Hyatt identified the property as a “fantastic site” for its new extended-stay hotel brand, Studios. The hotels allow guests to access Hyatt’s “signature guest experience” through self-serve amenities and in-room offerings.
“They believe the city needs a modern-day hotel with modern-day amenities,” he said.
Mehmood added that Hyatt was also interested in the site because of its proximity to Saint John Airport and the city’s attractive vacancy rates.
No details about the construction timeline were shared during the meeting.
Lakeview also requested a variance that would allow the creation of a lot without street frontage to facilitate subdivision of the rear portion of the property.
The committee approved the rezoning and variance applications unanimously, but recommended common council impose a condition requiring the developer to pay $25,000 to the city for costs related to traffic improvements.
The project remains subject to council approval. A public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 17 during a meeting of common council.
