It's called The 9. And when it opens in late 2014, the former AmeriTrust tower and historic Cleveland Trust Rotunda will be transformed into a modern-meets-historic luxury hotel called The Metropolitan at The 9, high-end urban residences, the Adega restaurant (featuring modern Mediterranean cuisine and downtown's largest outdoor dining area), a theater (The Alex Theater) that features live entertainment and film screenings, 12,000 feet of meeting and event space, a Heinen's grocery store and marketplace, plus plenty of other amenities.

Among those amenities will be Azure Sky, downtown's largest rooftop bar and sun deck, an indoor dog park, plus a spa and fitness club. You'll also be able to rent a bike or charge the batteries on your Tesla, visit The 9's speakeasy or have a pastrami sandwich at the New York-style deli.

Residents of The 9 can choose from 105 spacious luxury apartments, including one of 16 custom-designed Sky Suites with massive windows that provide panoramic views of downtown Cleveland. All residences will have access to The Metropolitan Hotel's guest services, including housekeeping, 24-hour room service and valet parking.

Cleveland-based GEIS Companies has teamed up with Sandvick Architects of Cleveland (a consultant on the project that specializes in adapting historic structures) to bring new life to a long overlooked area of the city. The team plans to preserve and interlace iconic architectural features with modern technology and design concepts.

"The 9 will be like no other hotel or residence in the city – or the country for that matter," said Greg Geis, CEO of GEIS Companies. "From the old bank vaults that we are turning into private dining areas and the magnificent Tiffany glass dome of the rotunda building, to the bellmen and intuitive technology that will recognize and anticipate our visitors' needs, The 9 will be a marquee destination that rivals anything in the country – but also celebrates what's great about Cleveland and its rich history."

The Metropolitan Hotel will be affiliated with Autograph Collection, Marriott International's collection of more than 50 independent hotels, each offering a discerning and unique guest experience. The hotel's 156 rooms and suites are being designed by GEIS-owned GLSD Architects.

Additionally, 1010 Euclid Avenue will turn into 100 market-rate apartments, some of which will be available to employees of The 9 at a subsidized rate, enabling a work-live environment.

GEIS Companies will have offices at The 9, including an urban construction office and a design center for the residences and other urban clients. GEIS Property Management will move from Streetsboro, Ohio, to The 9. GEIS Companies headquarters will remain in Streetsboro.

Newly created GEIS Hospitality Group will work in partnership with Denver-based Greenwood Hospitality Group to manage The 9 and The Metropolitan Hotel. The group plans to seek and develop similar projects around the country using The 9 as a prototype.

At its peak, the $250 million project will employ 1,000 construction workers. The hotel, residences and restaurants are all scheduled to open simultaneously in the fall of 2014.

Learn more about the companies affiliated with The 9:

GEIS Companies: www.geis.us/About.aspx

www.geis.us/About.aspx Greenwood Hospitality Group: www.greenwoodhospitality.com/company/about-us

www.greenwoodhospitality.com/company/about-us Autograph Collection: www.autographhotels.com

www.autographhotels.com Marriott International: Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit www.marriott.com. For the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

SOURCE GEIS Companies