SYRACUSE — Destiny USA “consistently” draws from a distance covering a four-plus hour drive, and it attracts tourists from all 50 states, Canada, “and worldwide.” Aiden McGuire, director of marketing at Destiny USA, made the comment during his remarks as part of the formal-opening ceremony for the city of Syracuse’s newest hotel. “Destiny USA now […]
SYRACUSE — Destiny USA “consistently” draws from a distance covering a four-plus hour drive, and it attracts tourists from all 50 states, Canada, “and worldwide.”
Aiden McGuire, director of marketing at Destiny USA, made the comment during his remarks as part of the formal-opening ceremony for the city of Syracuse’s newest hotel.
“Destiny USA now becomes an even stronger tourism draw for visitors from across the state, from across the country, and from around the world,” McGuire added.
His remarks were part of the Sept. 12 formal-opening ceremony for the Embassy Suites by Hilton across Hiawatha Boulevard from Destiny USA.
Destiny USA has grown to become New York’s largest shopping, dining, and entertainment complex and 26 million guests visit the venue annually, McGuire noted.
The 209-room facility is officially known as Embassy Suites by Hilton Syracuse-Destiny USA and located at 311 Hiawatha Blvd. W. The hotel employs more than 75 people.
Embassy Suites by Hilton is described as a “global brand of upscale, all-suite hotels” from Hilton (NYSE: HLT), according to a Destiny USA news release. Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.
The hotel represents “the first of many” hospitality projects in the Pyramid company’s “development pipeline,” Stephen Congel, CEO of the Pyramid Management Group, said in his remarks at the formal-opening event.
“It’s also a natural progression of our efforts to provide visitors to Central New York with an unparalleled offering of retail, dining, entertainment, recreation, and now hospitality that will continue to enhance Destiny USA’s reputation as a number one, international tourism destination in this region,” said Congel.
A lending group led by M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB), which also included Berkshire Bank (NYSE: BHLB) and Tompkins Trust Company (NYSE: TMP), financed the $48 million hotel project, according to Destiny USA.
Hueber-Breuer Construction Co., Inc. handled construction on the hotel project. Crews began construction on the hotel in June 2016, representing the first onsite hotel property at Destiny USA.
In her remarks, Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney noted that Onondaga County government is operated “in large part” with sales-tax revenue.
The more sales tax that Onondaga County government collects, the lower it can keep property taxes, she added.
“People rail on property taxes and it’s true that they’re high, but they’re lower today because of the sales tax we collect and a project like this is very valuable to this community,” said Mahoney.
“Go-to property”
Destiny USA management sees the hotel as the “go-to property” for people traveling to visit the mall and entertainment complex.
The hotel offers 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for special events. Additional amenities include an indoor heated pool, fitness center, a restaurant, and a 24-hour convenience shop.
“We are so excited and so happy to be part of the Syracuse community starting today with our team,” Kevin Varr, general manager, Embassy Suites by Hilton, said in speaking with local reporters before the formal-opening ceremony.
Plano, Texas–based Aimbridge Hospitality, the nation’s second largest independent hotel-management firm, will operate the facility.
