Melia to open its doors in downtown Miami

With Miami Worldcenter soon to break ground in downtown Miami, a second major arrival is soon to make waves in Miami’s urban core: the arrival of a Melia Hotel.

The world-renowned Spanish hotelier has chosen downtown as its first US location, and plans on taking over the current 56-room space formerly known as Casa Moderna and Tempo. Set to open in spring of 2015, the renovation will add 75 more rooms, including townhouses currently on the pool level, and remodel all of the hotel’s public and private spaces.

Alyce Robertson, executive director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority, told the Miami Herald that the area is “likely to become a ‘new center of gravity in downtown Miami,” Moreover, “To have a hotel that’s within walking distance to PAMM and then when the science museum opens up, I think that’s going to be really key for their success in that location,” she said.

“We are incredibly excited about the launch of ME Miami and are thrilled to begin this project in one of the most iconic cities in the United States,” said Gabriel Escarrer, CEO and Vice Chairman of Meliá Hotels International, in the press release put out by the company.

With another major international brand putting the spotlight on downtown Miami, it’s only more proof that Miami’s urban core is continuing to grow as a global destination.