"We targeted this market 10 years ago as having a major void when it came to upscale lodging," says Paramount CEO David A. Simon. "But until now, we were unable to find the right site. This represents an opportunity to satisfy significant demand in an area with nearly insurmountable barriers to entry."

"This marks the beginning of our development program," says AMC Delancey president/CEO Kenneth P. Balin. "We also have the opportunity to work with the Connells, a third-generation family company," developers of the 185-acre, four-building, 1.3-million-sf Connell Corporate Park. Major corporate tenants include AIG, Schering-Plough, EMC, Maher Terminals and Palisades Insurance.

The Westin Berkeley Heights will be franchised by AMC Delancey and Paramount Hotels under a license from Starwood Hotels, with Paramount managing the property. Its 228 rooms will include a 19-key component of extended-stay suites, "to accommodate the significant market demand for long-term stays," Balin says. The property will also have some 17,000 sf of meeting space, including a grand ballroom and a 7,000-sf executive meeting center.