The developer for the proposed Westin Hotel project in downtown Birmingham has released new sketches of his vision for the impressive hotel. Thornton Homes is the proud developer and builder of many Birmingham new home communities, and projects like this both enhance our city and provide extra convenience for out-of-town friends and family of our residents. Below is the full article from Joseph D. Bryant of the Birmingham News, posted on AL.com:

An Atlanta developer has architectural sketches of the luxury Westin Hotel planned as part of a $70 million project near the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.

The sketches were prepared by Rabun Rasche Rector Reece Architects.

Developer Robert L. Schwartz, president of National Ventures Group, said he hopes to break ground on the hotel in November and open it in 2012.

In town Tuesday to attend a City Council meeting, Schwartz said his company would raise $13 million in private money to go along with $57 million in public financing for the project. The hotel would be managed by the BJCC, along with the Birmingham Sheraton. Both hotels would share staff and management, making the project more economical, Schwartz said.

“Birmingham residents will take pride in having a first-class hotel for their out-of-town guests,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz said he is certain the project will go as planned.

“We have been trying and will continue to try to meet with council, the BJCC board and the mayor’s office one-on-one, so we can answer whatever questions come to their minds,” he said. “Once we have this kind of meeting and the questions have been answered we’ll have a stronger support system.”

Read the original article here.