Elliott Lodging breaks ground on Best Western prototype

Last edited 10:44 a.m., Sept. 2, 2016

Elliott Lodging Ltd. broke ground this morning on a new Best Western International concept.

Over 100 people, including Mayor Bob Stephens, attended the 10 a.m. ceremony at 1845 E. Sunshine St.

The concept dubbed Vib - pronounced Vibe - is designed to appeal to millennials with social spaces, technology and gaming sections, and food and beverage options. Rooms have modern furnishings and bright colors, larger window views and electronics.

Best Western spokeswoman Sylvia Kindlain said via email Gordon Elliott’s company would serve as general contractor for the project designed by Larry Burns. The estimated opening date is fall 2017.

The hotel is being built on 1.2 acres Elliott owns. Springfield Building Development Services Director Chris Straw said the estimated cost of the project is $4.8 million.

Located just east of Glenstone Avenue, the site previously housed Elliott’s Francisco Oven restaurant. Mountain Grove-based First Bancshares Inc. (OTCQB: FBSI) demolished the former eatery in preparation for a new branch, but Elliott Lodging repurchased the land to develop the five-floor, 90-room hotel.

First Home Bank instead bought a 10,000-square-foot former Citizens National Bank, 1465 E. Sunshine St., for their new branch.  

Currently, no Vib hotels exist. If completed quickly enough, officials said this morning Elliott Lodging’s hotel could be the first of the concept to open.