By Alex Robinson
The first part of the $125 million One Fulton Square development has opened in downtown Flushing.
Hyatt Place, a 168-room hotel, opened its doors last week and joined a growing number of hotels in the neighborhood.
“Flushing continues to undergo an incredible transformation and thrive economically and we are excited to add to the community’s momentum by teaming up with Hyatt Place brand,” the owner of the hotel, Jennifer Chiu, said.
The hotel is the borough’s first Hyatt and is part of a two-tower, 12-story multiuse complex, at the corner of Prince Street and 39th Avenue.
Developers F&T Group broke ground on the One Fulton Square project in 2011. The property includes retail, office and residential portions, which are scheduled to open in phases by the end of the year. The project’s 43 market rate condos have all been sold, said F&T Group President Michael Meyer.
“New York is red hot. Flushing is red hot and I think our hotel will be a leader in the market,” Meyer said.
F&T Group has built at least seven projects in downtown Flushing, including One Fulton Square, and has taken an active role in an initiative to revitalize the neighborhood.
After years of delays, F&T Group is on the cusp of breaking ground on their ambitious Flushing Commons project, which will cost $850 million, and will include residential, retail and commercial space. It will also provide downtown Flushing with a 1.5-acre park, a 62,000-square-foot YMCA and 1,600 parking spaces.
The new Hyatt boasts two fully equipped gyms, which will be open 24 hours a day; a yoga studio; and a rooftop swimming pool. It will also have approximately 1,000 square feet of meeting space.
“Hyatt Place Flushing is centrally located in the heart of one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in New York City, and we’re looking forward to creating a positive experience for each and every guest that walks through our doors,” the general manager of the hotel, Tony Schatz, said.
A spokeswoman for the hotel said that since the grand opening May 29, the new hotel has sold out on a number of nights and is expected to be fully booked on its second weekend.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
