Developer close to breaking ground on extended stay hotel

The Civic on First hotel project received final city approval Monday night.

The developer, California-based EKN Development Group, plans to build a 175-room Hyatt House extended stay hotel on the corner of First Avenue and Civic Center Drive. That is the former site of the American Legion.

The eight-story building will feature retail space on the street level, along with a fourth-floor rooftop area. Ebbie Nakhjavani, EKN's CEO, said Monday that a groundbreaking could be just weeks away.

“We’ve really focused on creating a hotel that will really go above and beyond to be energy efficient and really deliver a great product to the community,” Nakhjavani told the council.

The development represents a $44 million private investment. Additionally, the city has pledged $3.9 million in tax increment financing to the project.

This will be EKN’s first new development in Rochester. The firm is now in the process of renovating the former Holiday Inn site on South Broadway.

Cover graphic: Rendering courtesy EKN Development Group