MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Oct. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- White Lodging today announced a more than $350 million plan to transform the site of its hospitality origins in Merrillville, Indiana, into a long-standing economic anchor for Northwest Indiana.
The concept ? The Farm at Crossroad Commons ? is inspired by Indiana's premier and sustainable agricultural heritage and well-known moniker as the Crossroads of America. The 40-acre mixed-use redevelopment at the corner of U.S. Highway 30 and Interstate 65 will support local and regional tourism and economic development through unique-to-the-region offerings.
The Farm at Crossroad Commons' centerpiece is a working education-based farm and greenhouse, a visitor's center, and indoor-outdoor meeting and event center with more than 104,500 square feet of flexible space.
Supporting these centerpiece elements will be four hotels, a microbrewery, distillery, two restaurants, an art gallery and a 100,000 square foot office building, among other features. More than 1,300 parking spaces will be provided underneath the site.
"This project will serve as a long-standing anchor for economic development and a true transformational destination for visitors to the Region ? just as the Radisson and Star Plaza Theatre did for so many years," said Bruce White, chairman of White Lodging.
The Farm at Crossroad Commons: Community Centric, Sustainable, Educational
"The concept ? a breakthrough for the Region that's both bold and beautiful ? is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that pays homage to my father's legacy, and the White Family's continued investment in Northwest Indiana," White noted.
An Anchor for Economic Development
The investment is expected to create more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs with more than $65 million in annual salaries, in addition to more than 600 construction jobs during the three-year project. Over 10 years, the development will create nearly $100 million in new local, regional and state tax revenues.
Furthering the economic development directly from this project, White Lodging will work with local and state representatives to recruit new companies to relocate to Northwest Indiana and occupy the 100,000 square feet of office space.
"With the community's support, The Farm at Crossroad Commons has the potential to have a 50+ year lasting impact on the region," said Deno Yiankes, president and CEO for investments and development at White Lodging. "What an exciting opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking development in the heart of Northwest Indiana!"
About White Lodging
White Lodging Services Corporation, established in 1985, is one of the leading ownership, development, and management companies in America. An innovative trendsetter, the organization's portfolio includes convention, urban lifestyle, and suburban select service hotels with more than $1 billion in managed revenue. White Lodging operates more than 90-premium hotels, 30 restaurants and 30 brands in 19 states. Success knows no boundaries at White Lodging, where associates and leadership have consistently earned superior guest satisfaction scores, top market share and industry-leading profit margins while recruiting the best, brightest, and most passionate professionals in every discipline for three decades. White Lodging is a proud winner of the 2018 Gallup Great Workplace Award. For more information about White Lodging, visit www.whitelodging.com, or connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
Contact:
Michael Banas
[email protected]
(219) 472-2861
SOURCE White Lodging
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