Westin Hotel to open in Downtown Austin

Construction on the Westin Austin Downtown, which will be at the intersection of East Fifth Street and San Jacinto Boulevard, is scheduled to break ground in 2013 and open in spring 2015, owners announced Jan. 10.

White Lodging Services Corp., the Harry Whittington family and REI Real Estate Services LLC have formed a joint venture to open the hotel.

"We are so pleased to be developing another signature project in Austin," said Deno Yiankes, president and CEO of White Lodging's investment and development division, in a statement. "The demand for high-quality hotels continues to grow here."

The Westin Austin Downtown is estimated to generate approximately $4.5 million in taxes annually and more than 130 permanent jobs, according to a news release.

The 17-story, 326-room hotel will have a fitness center, full-service restaurant and 13,500 square feet of meeting and banquet space.

Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said the hotel will be another major step in the city's economic development efforts.

"I couldn't be more pleased with the jobs and revenue White Lodging and Westin are bringing to Austin," he said in a statement.