One of downtown Akron’s historical buildings – Greystone Hall on High Street, built in 1917 – would be transformed into a hotel under a new plan, according to a report in the Akron Beacon Journal.
The building, opposite the John S. Knight Convention Center, is now owned by the city and used by the convention center for various events. Project partners Greystone Partners LLC and Amerimar Realty Co. of Philadelphia also would build a structure adjacent to Greystone, on what is now a parking lot on High Street.
The newspaper reported that Akron officials have long said the downtown district needs hotel rooms, and that the lack of a new or flagship hotel downtown hurts the city’s ability to attract conventions and other major events.
In the past, Amerimar has expressed interest in buying the former Firestone headquarters on South Main Street and transforming it into office space. The Firestone headquarters previously housed Bridgestone Corp. workers now based at the new Bridgestone Americas tire and rubber technical center located nearby.
Bob Cooper, director of CBRE Commercial Real Estate Services of Akron, is a partner in the Firestone project, and also is working with partners in the Greystone project.
Click here to read the full article in the Akron Beacon Journal.
