Fredericton to get new Hilton hotel

Fredericton could be getting a new Hilton Garden Suites hotel, according to a city councillor.

D.P. Murphy Inc., of Charlottetown, P.E.I., plans to build the hotel downtown, as part of the new convention centre complex, said Stephen Chase, chairman of Frederictons development committee.

The target date to break ground is within 18 to 24 months, he said.

"We still have the grand vision," said Chase. "The original concept [was] to create the conference centre, build a parking garage and have a very nice hotel complex and so that vision remains. And the hotel is a key part of that concept."

The Fredericton Convention Centre, located at 670 Queen St., officially opened in January 2011. The original 11-storey hotel has been scaled down to eight, said Chase.

D.P. Murphy will pay the city $800,000 for the required city-owned land and has acquired additional land from a private owner, said Chase.

The P.E.I. company, founded by Danny Murphy in 1980, already operates Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Super 8, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in various locations across eastern Canada.

It also operates several other franchises, including Tim Hortons andWendy's restaurants.

The convention centre features a 1,159-square-metre ballroom and an additional 799-square-metres of flexible meeting space.