Marriott at Penn Square and Lancaster County Convention Center

High Construction was selected as the prime contractor for all general trades work for the renovation and conversion of the historical Watt & Shand building in downtown Lancaster, Pa., (as well as the integration of five historic homes within the street block) to an upscale, full-service Marriott hotel with an adjoining 195,000-square-foot convention center.

The entire facade of the 110-year-old L-shaped Beaux-Arts style building was restored and preserved. An 18-story addition to the rear of the existing building contains 299 guest rooms. Hotel amenities include a full-service restaurant and bar, lobby lounge area with a two-story atrium, two 9,500-square-foot ballrooms and a 50,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 2,000 square-foot exercise room and spa treatment rooms, indoor pool with waterfall, in-room internet service, and in-house business center.

High Construction’s sister company, High Associates, spent eight years on the entitlement, development, and processes of creating this public/private project worth over $170 million. This important project has helped to breathe new life into Downtown Lancaster and has become a primary focal point for enhanced ripple development within a many-block area of Lancaster City.

This project was the recipient of the Project of the Year award in the hospitality category from Mid-Atlantic Construction Magazine's Best of 2009 Awards.