FORT WORTH–Hillwood Properties has finalized a franchise agreement with Marriott International to develop a new Courtyard by Marriott hotel at Alliance Town Center. To be located at the northeast corner of Interstate 35W and Heritage Trace Parkway, the 127-room property will be the first hotel at the complex; there are plans for an additional, adjacent hotel under way.

“With the addition of The Courtyard by Marriott to Alliance Town Center, our plans to meet the high demand for quality hotel development in North Fort Worth are being realized,” Steve Aldrich, vice president of Hillwood Properties, told GlobeSt.com.

The project was scheduled to break ground last week, marking the launch of Hillwood's strategic initiative to provide high-quality hospitality offerings in the heart of AllianceTexas. The new hotel will provide guests with the opportunity to enjoy Alliance Town Center's numerous retail, restaurant and entertainment amenities, while also serving as a hotel option for business and leisure travelers alike.

“We are very excited about the addition of this newest generation Courtyard by Marriott property to Alliance Town Center,” says Aldrich. “There has been a gap in newer, high-quality hotel offerings along the IH-35W corridor. This property not only helps to fill this gap, it also provides for much needed banquet and conference space for the region. Moreover, we've now reached a point with the office and healthcare components at Alliance Town Center, where there is demand for additional hotels and conference space.”

The hotel will encompass four acres and feature a 3,500-square-foot ballroom/conference space. It will also feature a resort-style pool, outdoor fire pit and lounge area, and a stone exterior that complements the architectural design of the surrounding retail, office, entertainment, medical and residential offerings at Alliance Town Center.

“We are thrilled to be joining the AllianceTexas community,” says Callette Nielsen, vice president and global brand manager of Courtyard by Marriott. “We feel our new design is perfectly suited for the Alliance Town Center project. As we've reviewed sites for properties around the country, the exponential growth in the area and the success of the Alliance Town Center project made this a perfect match for our brand. We're look forward to bringing this product to north Fort Worth, and continuing our partnership with Hillwood in the region.”