"This inn's proximity to DFW International Airport allows us to show off our new prototype to our loyal, frequent guests and hopefully encourage new visitors," says Butch Cash, La Quinta Inns Inc. president and CEO. "This hotel will be a model for La Quinta properties that will be developed over the next few years."

Another La Quinta prototype--a scaled down version--will be going up in the Northpark corridor, replacing a fire-damaged inn on three acres. La Quinta operates 15 inns and seven inns & suite brands in the DFW area.

The redesigns, the handiwork of noted hotel architect Renee Gauche of Maryland, had been unveiled last month as part of La Quinta's franchise program, which had launched in early fall. The company hopes to have 150 new hotels up and running in the next three years through franchise operations. Dallas-based La Quinta is the lodging division for the REIT, the Meditrust Cos.