RAM Hotels, an innovative hotel management company headquartered in Columbus, is in the process of acquiring the Raymond Rowe building at 1235 Broadway as the site for an AC Hotel by Marriott. 

“We feel very fortunate to have such a quality product being produced in the heart of Uptown. Marriott could have chosen any market in the world for the next AC Hotel but they chose Columbus,” Ram Hotels President Rinkesh Patel said. “The hotel is both the continuation of the great successes we've seen in the development of Uptown and it will be a catalyst for continuing that economic growth.”

It was through the perseverance of Rinkesh and Executive Vice President of Ram Hotels Mitesh (Matt) Patel, that they were able to add this modern, stylish and highly-sought-after brand to their expanding portfolio. In May their dedication to this project paid off when two brand leaders for Marriott visited Columbus to experience firsthand the vibrancy and energy of Uptown. Rinkesh said, that short trip confirmed what he had been lauding for months – that Uptown was the perfect place for an AC Hotel. 

This hotel is as important to Uptown as Uptown is the hotel. AC Hotels reflect the souls of the cities in which they reside. They offer a unique combination of quality, timeless European design, comfort and true authenticity. The AC Hotels brand was launched in 2011 through a joint venture between Marriott International and Spanish hotelier Antonio Catalan. There are approximately 70 AC Hotels worldwide and another 100 opened or under construction in the United States, including New Orleans, Chicago, Asheville and Savannah. 

“If you look at the AC brand and the audience we are targeting, we feel that Columbus is moving from a transitional economy to a destination economy,” Rinkesh explained. “Visitors were coming here for a specific event but that is changing because Uptown is changing. We have an emerging culinary scene, an established arts community and the longest urban whitewater course in the world. People are starting to see Columbus a destination.” 

In the last few years, RAM Hotels has quietly and steadfastly taken their place as a leader in the hospitality sector in East Alabama and West Georgia. RAM owns and operates 10 Marriott and Hilton properties including the Courtyard Marriott on the river in the Phenix City. They have another three hotels under construction and have announced six more properties in development or under construction including the AC Hotel in Uptown Columbus. 

There is not a definitive timeline for construction of the 106-room hotel, but RAM plans to close on the property by the end of November. After they take ownership of the property they will set a date for the groundbreaking and projections for an opening date. 

The next step is to appear in front of the Columbus Facade Board for a certificate of appropriateness when the drawings of the potential new facade will be under consideration by the city board.