LITTLE ROCK, AR–Starwood Hotels & Resorts has plans in place to begin an adaptive re-use project in the heart of Little Rock, AR. Owned by Chi Hotel Group, the Aloft Little Rock Downtown will open in early 2016.

“Aloft Little Rock Downtown will bring distinctive modern design, a vibrant social atmosphere and innovative technology to Main Street and is sure to resonate with the next gen of travelers,” says Brian McGuinness, senior vice president of Aloft Hotels.

The hotel is part of a larger mixed-use project, meant to revive the historic Boyle Building. The 12-story Boyle Building opened in 1909 as the State National Bank Building. The Aloft design calls for the creation of 104 rooms, as well as ground-floor retail, a high-end restaurant and a coffee shop. Additional amenities include a rooftop pool, fitness center and 4,000 square feet of meeting space.

The new hotel is just one of several adaptive re-use projects Starwood has underway. Other developments include Aloft Orlando Downtown, Aloft Tulsa Downtown, Aloft Miami-Brickell, Aloft New Orleans Downtown and Aloft Dallas Downtown.

“Aloft is increasingly sought after for adaptive re-use projects, which have helped drive the brand's growth in markets across North America,” says Allison Reid, senior vice president of America development for Starwood. “The success of Aloft among youthful-minded travelers has caught the attention of owners and developers who are eager to introduce the brand to new markets.”

The Aloft brand now totals nearly 100 hotels in 14 different countries.