New Hotel Opens in Wilmington

The first new hotel built in Wilmington since 1980 has opened for business.

The News Journal reports the $40 million, 180-room Westin Wilmington opened Thursday. It's located next to the Chase Center on the Riverfront.

The hotel joins restaurants, condominiums, shops and a movie theater that has transformed an old industrial park on Wilmington's riverfront. The project has involved $250 million in public money.

The hotel features The Rock River Kitchen, which serves locally sourced and seasonal dishes.

The Westin is owned by a joint venture between the Buccini/Pollin Group and Westport Capital. It's managed by PM Hospitality Strategies Inc.

In a statement, Michael Purzycki of the Riverfront Development Corp. of Delaware says the new Westin may be the most important Wilmington project in recent memory.