ARLINGTON, Texas — Every day, the sun sets on a familiar skyline, which is rapidly changing in the city of Arlington.
The new Loew's Arlington Hotel and Convention Center is no longer just a dream but now a reality.
WFAA reporter Scoop Jefferson is the first journalist to get inside for a hard hat tour just four weeks away from opening day.
The Loew's Arlington Hotel and Convention Center is located on Nolan Ryan Expressway, directly across the street from the chain's first hotel in the entertainment district.
Hotel managing director Stephen Cummings must have Loew's ready on February 13, 2024. Loew's has already hired hundreds of new employees during a massive three-day job fair.
Cummings started our tour in the basement, where I saw contractors working against the clock. The basement area of the new hotel is where new employees will pick up their uniforms for work and receive their locker assignments.
The first-of-its-kind meeting and resort facility in the metroplex has the most ballroom space in North Texas at 266,000 square feet for major events. This will allow Arlington to compete for conventions and other events that draw people by the thousands.
The city of Arlington and the Arlington Economic Development Corporation gave Loew's $40 million in incentives. That makes the investment both a private and public venture.
It's the chain's 2nd of three hotels in the city. Loew's hopes the public will visit the resort destination for its high-tech workout facility, an upscale day spa with massage rooms, and unique restaurants.
Scoop Jefferson counted three pools, including a splash pad for kids PLUS an inside "Toddler Area" playground. Families will be able to reserve cabanas in the pool area on two different levels. The pool area also has a bar, and it's connected to the tailgating lawn.
"So, you'll be on the pool deck with the ability to come right into the kids club," said Stephen Cummings.
The 888-luxury room facility is a 21-story hotel in the heart of the entertainment district. When you walk onto the 21st-floor suite balcony, there is a breathtaking view of Choctaw Stadium, and AT&T Stadium, and you can see right inside Globe Life Field.
During game days, Loew's invites the public to its larger-than-life outside patio called Front Row.
Periodically, the hotel will invite food truck owners to give visitors and event attendees more food options, especially on game days.
"Primarily for tailgating when the Cowboys are playing or when the Rangers are playing," said Stephen Cummings, "we'll be able to do events out here where they can watch the live TV feed of the actual game on the big screen TV."
The Arlington Hotel and Convention Center is connected to the Live by Loew's Hotel across Nolan Ryan Parkway by a skybridge. The convention center lobby will also be the home of a rental car company.
Although the convention center ballroom is the largest in the metroplex, Cummings says he's proud that each ballroom contains air-walls, which allows them to make those spaces smaller for events attended by smaller groups.
There is a lot to see inside and outside of the resort destination in Arlington as the hotel chain works to set the gold standard in North Texas when it comes to entertainment.
Loew's hasn't finished investing in Arlington either. The company has already committed to a third hotel after purchasing the Sheraton Hotel space in the same area.