Brooklyn Hotel Expansion Breaks Ground

Just seven years after the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge became Brooklyn's first new hotel since 1934, a brightening tourist picture is fueling a $77 million expansion. "We don't have the room base" to meet demand, said Mike Brenner, senior vice president at Muss Development, the hotel's New York-based owner, which is also developer and construction manager on the project.

Located at Renaissance Plaza in downtown Brooklyn, the 24-story addition designed by San Francisco-based SB Architects will increase the hotel's capacity from 376 to 656 rooms. A two-level pedestrian bridge will link the poured-in-place concrete structure to the existing building. Completion is scheduled for fall 2006.