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Lucy Berry
The Huntsville Times
al.com

New details and renderings are available of CityCentre at Big Spring, a $100 million mixed-use project that will begin rising late this year in Huntsville.

RCP Companies, a Huntsville-based boutique real estate firm, is developing CityCentre at the former Holiday Inn site across from Big Spring International Park. The 270-room, nearly 40-year-old hotel was demolished early this year to make way for the complex, which will be built in phases.

Phase I is on target to launch sometime in 2016. Max Grelier, executive vice president of RCP Companies, said CityCentre will be a “critical piece” in Huntsville’s revitalization efforts of downtown.

“The entire educated workforce – not to mention the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, ART and mathematics) professionals, provide built-in demand for the eclectic-yet-authentic blend of live, work, play, shop amenities we have planned for CityCentre,” he said in a statement.

The project will feature almost 50,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, more than 270 “upscale” apartment homes, two parking garages, modern office lofts, as well as two hotels with more than 230 rooms.  Alabama-based Yedla Hotel Management, which owns and operates Starwood, Marriott and Hilton franchises, will run the hotels.

RCP has not identified which hotels will open at CityCentre, but said negotiations are underway now with a major-brand boutique hotel concept that will be the first of its kind in Alabama. Lindsay Harper, spokeswoman for RCP, said she does not have a timeline on when the properties will be announced.

CityCentre’s architecture will be “locally inspired” with pedestrian crossings, bike pathways, spacious walkways, and a linear park connection to nearby Twickenham Square, a $100 million live-work-play project by Huntsville Hospital.

“CityCentre fills a void of services and entertainment options that the city’s underserved daytime population and workforce, as well as the abundant patrons of Von Braun Civic Center and Big Spring Park, have been seeking,” Grelier said.

RCP is working with Pennsylvania planning firm Urban Design Associates and Birmingham-based CMH Architects on CityCentre. Retail Leasing Advisors and Dart Retail Advisors are the exclusive leasing agents.

CityCentre, initially coined Big Spring Square, was announced during a city press conference in October 2014. The original $70 million project was renamed CityCentre at Big Spring in December.

RCP Companies is also developing the Whole Foods-anchored Shops at Merchants Walk and is working revitalize the Madison Square Mall property as MidCity Huntsville. An announcement is expected in November.