Success at Portage’s Trade Centre development attracts Hilton Homewood Suites
March 10, 2014 
Portage, Michigan
Veteran real estate developers, Roger Hinman (The Hinman Company) and Joe Gesmundo (AVB), are pleased to announce the Hilton Homewood Suites will be the second hotel to be developed at Trade Centre. The first hotel, a Courtyard by Marriott, opened in October of 2013. The Homewood Suites will have 97 rooms with all of the typical amenities of the brand. The hotels add development momentum to the project that already includes two fully occupied, Class A office buildings that together have nearly 200,000 sq. ft. of leasable space with key tenants such as Stryker, Plante Moran and S2 Games.
The combination of the “corner of main and main” regional location, unparalleled visibility and access, high quality construction, and reputable businesses and brands, has created a highly desirable synergy at one of the most recognizable gateways in Southwest Michigan. These ingredients, combined with a focus on highly quality development built for the long run, are the main reasons for the Trade Centre’s success. These factors have contributed towards the investment decision to add the newest generation of Hilton Homewood Suites, which is expected to open in 2015.
Many business travelers are extremely loyal to a particular hotel brand, and having both a Marriott and Hilton branded hotel in the development was a goal from the beginning. “Great development projects can take time,” said Roger Hinman. “We have been presented with numerous opportunities that we felt didn’t quite fit our plan. We are very committed to delivering a high quality and successful development at this essential gateway to the community, and know that the Hilton Homewood Suites will help us to meet these goals.”
The City of Portage Planning Commission approved the site plan for the Hilton Homewood Suites at its meeting on Thursday, March 6. Construction is expected to begin this summer.
The Trade Centre development is located at the northwest corner of I-94 and South Westnedge Avenue. Hinman and Gesmundo purchased the entire 32-acre property in 2003. Since then, the two office buildings and the Courtyard at Marriott have been developed. Plans for the remainder of the development include two to four restaurants and another three-story office building.
