A new hotel is planned for Richmond’s east side, near the Interstate 70 interchange with U.S. 40.
Ani Lodging LLC of Chicago has requested a variance of development standards to increase the maximum allowable structure height to accommodate the four-story hotel. The Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals is scheduled to consider the variance petition during its meeting at 5:30 p.m. April 23 in the third-floor chambers of Richmond Municipal Building, 50 N. Fifth St., Richmond.
The TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotel is planned for 4.51 acres along West Eaton Pike across from the Lowe’s Home Improvement store. The hotel entrance would be directly across from the Lowe’s entrance, according to a site plan submitted with the variance request. Foust Family LLC currently owns the land.
The land is zoned highway commercial, which permits a maximum 40-foot structure height. The hotel is planned at 48.67 feet tall and requests a 60-foot maximum height, according to its variance petition. The hotel plans include a 19,700-square-foot structure with 117 parking spaces.
TownePlace Suites hotels are a longer-stay brand among the Marriott portfolio, according to the company website. Developer Mira Development lists a TownePlace Suites in Indianapolis among its recent projects. It also has recently developed Residence Inn & Spring Hill Suites and Home 2 Suites projects in Indianapolis, a Hilton Garden Inn project in Dayton, and Home 2 Suites projects in Muncie and Carmel, according to its website.
There are already nine hotels west of the I-70/U.S. 40 interchange. The TownePlace Suites would be located south of the Travelodge by Wyndham and Best Western Classic Inn in the area between West Eaton Pike and the railroad tracks.
As part of the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Revive I-70 project, the I-70/U.S. 40 interchange will be redesigned. The new design includes U.S. 40 roundabouts east and west of the freeway.
A version of this article appeared in the April 16 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.