A Landmark for Irvine
By Irvine City News staff
Travel and tourism revenue is increasingly important to the Irvine economy. In 2016, the travel industry contributed $34 million in local and state taxes and traveler expenditures in the city reached an estimated $612 million, according to Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce/Destination Irvine. That’s an increase of two percent in spending over 2015, far exceeding the rate of growth in preceding years.
To meet the increasing demand from the leisure, family, business and luxury markets, new hotel projects are planned (Great Park), approved (TownePlace Suites and Staybridge Hotel), approaching completion (Marriott Irvine Spectrum and Hyatt House Irvine) and recently opened (AC Hotel by Marriott).
Hotels near John Wayne Airport and within IBC and the Spectrum business centers are important elements of growth within the city because they’re less likely to impact the morning and evening commutes; the travelers are already where they need to be, and often use ride-sharing services, walk or share rental cars when they do need to drive.
Surprisingly, there are no luxury hotels next to or near JWA. The Hilton Irvine is fine for midrange business travelers, and the Duke Hotel (formerly the Fairmont and before that Le Meridian) doesn’t count, because its tax revenue goes to Newport Beach.
Luckily, the Landmark Project would add a prime hotel property in Irvine. Planned for the corner of MacArthur Boulevard and Campus Drive, the project includes a 19-story office tower and a 386-room, 15-story hotel, along with a swimming pool, restaurant and retail. The mixed-use project is designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, the architectural firm founded by internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei, and is a development of Irvine-based Great Far East.
To meet the increasing demand from the leisure, family, business and luxury markets, new hotel projects are planned (Great Park), approved (TownePlace Suites and Staybridge Hotel), approaching completion (Marriott Irvine Spectrum and Hyatt House Irvine) and recently opened (AC Hotel by Marriott).
Hotels near John Wayne Airport and within IBC and the Spectrum business centers are important elements of growth within the city because they’re less likely to impact the morning and evening commutes; the travelers are already where they need to be, and often use ride-sharing services, walk or share rental cars when they do need to drive.
Surprisingly, there are no luxury hotels next to or near JWA. The Hilton Irvine is fine for midrange business travelers, and the Duke Hotel (formerly the Fairmont and before that Le Meridian) doesn’t count, because its tax revenue goes to Newport Beach.
Luckily, the Landmark Project would add a prime hotel property in Irvine. Planned for the corner of MacArthur Boulevard and Campus Drive, the project includes a 19-story office tower and a 386-room, 15-story hotel, along with a swimming pool, restaurant and retail. The mixed-use project is designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, the architectural firm founded by internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei, and is a development of Irvine-based Great Far East.
