By Sue Ellen Woodcock
A new $15 million hotel project is being pitched to the city council and while there is work to do the enthusiasm for the project is showing.
JBX Developers of East Boston is seeking permission from the city council to build a 175 room hotel at 49-54 Revere Beach Boulevard on the site of the Shipwreck Lounge, which will be torn down. The proposal also calls for an 80 seat restaurant and 126 parking spaces under the building.
Architect Ning Lu, of Flushing, N.Y. said the hotel would be an iconic structure and a new landmark in Revere.
The eight-story building is in a U-shape that maximizes the ocean views. Only 10 of the 175 rooms will not face the ocean. There will be a rooftop terrace and a mezzanine level restaurant.
Lu is known for her work on a 496 room Holiday Inn in Manhattan and the fabulous restaurant called “One if by Land, Two if by Sea†and she would like to see one be brought to Revere. There will also be community art space in the garage and the parking entrance will be on Ocean Avenue.
“This is the single biggest development on the beach in 20 years,†said Mayor Brian Arrigo.
He added that JBX is a top-notch developer and it will bring at least $400,000 into the city coffers.
“This will be a catalyst for Revere Beach,†said Ward 3 Councillor Arthur Guinasso. “This is something we all want. What a first class development.â€
“It’s the right project, the right size and the right place,†said Councillor Jessica Giannino.
Ward 5 Councillor John Powers said this project is key to stabilizing the taxes in the city. The hotel will incur a room excise tax, meals and beverage tax and property taxes.
“It’s a win, win, win for the city,†Powers said.