COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--Developers joined the city of Columbus Monday to announce the planned expansion of the Hilton Hotel, next to the greater Columbus Convention Center.
The plans call for a 22-story tower to be built adjacent to the Convention Center, across from the existing Hilton Hotel on North High Street. The expansion would add 470 rooms, and bring the total room capacity at the Hilton to over 1000.
The expansion would allow the convention center to host larger gatherings, with many organizers seeking a 1,000-room hotel. The expansion would make the Hilton the first 1,000-room convention hotel.
The expansion would connect to the current hotel via the existing skyway bridge, and the plans are also in the works to expand the parking garage north of the Drury Inn to accommodate more cars.
Tentatively, it's scheduled to open in late 2021, at a cost of around $165-million. The Franklin County Commissioners and Columbus City Council still need to approve backing of revenue bonds.
(photo courtesy Paul Werth Associates)