SU selects Graduate by Hilton as brand partner for upcoming campus hotel

SYRACUSE — Graduate by Hilton will be the brand partner for Syracuse University’s (SU) upcoming new hotel to be constructed on University Avenue. The site for the upcoming hotel is across from the University Avenue Garage, at the corner of University Avenue and Harrison Street. The hotel is expected to open in the fall of 2027, and the partnership is part of SU’s housing strategy, the university said in its April 9 announcement. SU is working with The Hardy Group, which is serving as project manager. DLR Group is the project’s designer, and LeChase is serving as construction manager. The school is also in the process of selecting a third-party operator for the hotel as well, it said. The announcement did not disclose the projected cost of the construction project. “Graduate is an ideal partner in helping us bring to life a distinctive and dynamic space that authentically represents the Syracuse University experience,” Brett Padgett, SU senior VP and CFO, said in the announcement. “This collaboration will create a vibrant hub for both our campus and the broader Syracuse community, offering a welcoming destination during key moments like Orange game days, reunions, graduations, campus visits and beyond. We’re thrilled to work together to build a space that reflects the unique spirit and character of Syracuse University.” The new hotel will help fill a need and help replace hotel rooms that no longer exist in the marketplace. The announcement follows the university’s conversion of the former Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center into Orange Hall. It also follows the school’s acquisition of the Hotel Skyler Syracuse, part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection. Graduate by Hilton is a lifestyle brand made up of 35 hand-crafted hotels in university-anchored towns across the U.S. and U.K, SU said. Each hotel is created with a focus on local history and nostalgia — from the design touchpoints to the culinary experiences — “capturing the unique spirit of each university and reflecting the cultures and traditions of the communities they are located” in. The planned hotel will feature about 200 rooms, on-site parking, a full-service, three-meal restaurant and event space. A rooftop bar and lounge will offer views of campus, creating a space for both hotel guests and members of the Central New York community to gather, SU and Graduate by Hilton contend. “Syracuse University is the perfect partner as we continue the Graduate tradition of delivering collegiate-inspired hospitality to vibrant academic communities,” said Kevin Osterhaus, president, global lifestyle brands, Hilton. “Like the University, Graduate values lifelong learning and connection, and we are confident this hotel will become a beloved destination for visitors, locals and fans alike.”