Skanska begins construction on landmark convention center hotel in Downtown Cincinnati

CINCINNATI, OH — Skanska, one of the world’s leading construction and development firms, has broken ground on a new convention center hotel in the heart of Cincinnati’s Downtown Convention District. The Cincinnati Downtown Marriott Hotel, a 660,000-SF, $325 million project, will strengthen the city’s convention and hospitality offerings while becoming a prominent addition to the Cincinnati skyline.

The 21-story Marriott hotel will be connected to the First Financial Convention Center by a new skybridge, providing seamless access to the recently renovated convention center, public spaces and parking. The hotel will feature 700 guest rooms, 17,000-SF of rooftop terrace space, 62,000-SF of flexible meeting space, multiple ballrooms, a full-service restaurant, outdoor bar and ground-floor retail.

“The Cincinnati Downtown Marriott hotel represents an important investment in the future of Cincinnati," said Chris Hopper, Executive Vice President and General Manager for Skanska Cincinnati. “This project will strengthen Cincinnati's convention and hospitality offerings and create a lasting addition to the city's skyline."

The hotel is a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s $828 million Convention District Revitalization Plan and marks a significant milestone in the continued transformation of downtown. It is expected to enhance the city’s ability to attract major conventions, events and visitors while generating new economic activity in the urban core.

The project is being developed by Portman Holdings, in partnership with 3CDC, and designed by Cooper Carry with local partner Moody Nolan.

"This is the first addition to our skyline in years," said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval during the groundbreaking ceremony held July 21. "The brand-new Marriott is a crowning achievement in the story of downtown’s momentum.”

Construction activities are currently underway at the site, with demolition and early sitework in progress. Over the coming months, crews will begin deep foundation and excavation work, followed by structural steel erection as the project takes shape. The hotel is scheduled for completion in late 2028.