Construction Begins on Cincinnati Marriott Downtown

Project Partners and Community Members Gather for Groundbreaking Ceremony

CINCINNATI (July 21, 2026) – Leaders from Portman Holdings, the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, the State of Ohio, Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), The Port of Greater Cincinnati, Visit Cincy, and several other project partners gathered this morning to commemorate the start of construction on the Cincinnati Marriot Downtown – a critical component of Cincinnati’s $828 million Convention District Revitalization Plan.

The celebratory event was held across the street from the project site in the newly renovated First Financial Center. During the ceremony, project and government leaders highlighted the development’s role in strengthening Cincinnati’s ability to attract major events while enhancing the overall visitor experience. They emphasized the project’s potential to support local businesses, stimulate economic activity, and drive long-term growth throughout the urban core.

“At a high level, this project represents the final piece of the ambitious, multi-year creation of a modern convention center district right here in Cincinnati,” said Kaunteya Chitnis, Managing Director of Hospitality at Portman Holdings. “Over the past several years, we’ve seen the renovation of the First Financial Center where we’re standing here today, the addition of the reimagined Elm Street Plaza, the ongoing modernization of the convention center garage, and other strategic investments throughout the city. What is missing is a headquarter hotel built to match what has already been done. Today, we are breaking ground on that piece.”

The groundbreaking is a major step forward for Downtown Cincinnati, bringing new energy, investment and opportunities to the urban core. The new hotel will serve as a gateway for visitors from around the globe, enhancing the city’s appeal as a destination for major conventions, events, and tourism. By providing high-quality accommodations directly connected to the First Financial Center, the project will help elevate Cincinnati’s profile on the national stage.

“Today’s groundbreaking represents a major milestone in the continued transformation of our downtown and the future of Cincinnati’s tourism economy,” said Katie Westbrook, Executive Vice President of Development at 3CDC. “A dedicated headquarters hotel directly connected to the newly renovated First Financial Center, garage, and the new Elm Street Plaza, will significantly strengthen Cincinnati’s ability to compete for major conventions. Together, these projects enhance the visitor experience, support local businesses, and drive long-term economic growth in the urban core. We’re excited for the energy this development will bring to the Convention District and the city as a whole.”

At the project site, demolition work is underway. Upon completion, the development will feature a full-service hotel with 700 guest rooms, 60,000 square feet of meeting space, a 17,000-square-foot events terrace, and a range of upscale amenities designed to meet the needs of group, business, and leisure travelers. The hotel will also be connected to the newly renovated First Financial Center via a skybridge and will include multiple ballrooms and ground-floor retail offerings.

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