Hilton dual-branded hotel on way

A new hotel project under development in the Flagler Village area of downtown Fort Lauderdale now has a name and brand affiliation.

The $30 million-plus hotel, set to be built at 315 NW First Ave., will be a 202-room Tru/Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel, according to an announcement by the Coral Gables-based Driftwood Acquisitions and Development and Fort Lauderdale real estate developer Dev Motwani.

The dual-branded hotel complex will be a 50-50 partnership between the partners and be managed by Driftwood Hospitality Management in North Palm Beach, an affiliate of Driftwood Acquisitions.

In January, an outfit led by Motwani — 315 Flagler LP — bought the Flagler Village parcel and two nearby lots for $1.9 million for hotel development, but a final decision on its brand had been pending for several months.

“Flagler Village has developed into one of the trendiest areas in Fort Lauderdale and has helped the city grow both economically and socially,” said Motwani, president of real estate development and investment firm Merrimac Ventures, in a statement. “Partnering with Driftwood on this project has been exciting, and it’s the first of many more to come.”

Groundbreaking for the hotel is scheduled to take place in mid-2017 for an opening by early 2019, the developers said.

The new hotel will sport stylish rooms with spacious bathrooms, creative work spaces, a fitness center, pool and pool bar and lounge, the developers said. It will also offer free WiFi, a complimentary breakfast and decor that features murals inspired by local arts and cultural events.

“This project will be the first to combine the trendy Hilton brands,” said Carlos Rodriguez, CEO and general partner of Driftwood Acquisitions. “Building this property in Flagler Village — an area close to downtown that is thriving and developing — will also give travelers the first Tru hotel experience in South Florida.”