Nashville, Tennessee’s first Westin Hotel will break ground in Q3 of this year and is expected to open in early 2017, after Starwood Hotel and Resorts formally confirmed the brand’s flag for the new hotel last week.

The 430-key 25-storey hotel – opposite the recently opened 1.2m sq ft (111,484sq m) Music City Center – will be owned by Nashville Hospitality Capital (NHC) and managed by Wischermann Partners.

NHC has put up the required equity and expects to finalise debt financing for the US$110m (€80.2m, £65.3m) project by next month. This sum covers the total development costs, including the amount paid for the 1.7-acre site – previously home to the Cokesbury bookstore and the two land parcels behind it.

Facilities available at the hotel will include a signature restaurant, rooftop pool and lounge, an indoor pool, full-service spa and fitness studio in addition to meeting space and a business centre.

Metro officials are in ongoing talks with NHC – who hope to provide another large block of hotel rooms for convention bookings for the Music City Center, which will require about US$75m (€54.7m, £44.6m) in debt financing.

“The Westin Nashville will offer a fresh, new option for visitors to this up-and-coming travel destination, celebrated for its live music scene, world-class entertainment and innovative southern cuisine,” said Kevin Fee, managing partner of NHC.

The Westin Nashville will be within walking distance of the city’s top entertainment venues, such as Ryman Auditorium and Bridgestone Arena.

“On track to open its 200th hotel worldwide this year, Westin is enjoying robust growth in North America due to the resounding success of its distinctive wellness positioning and brand-led programmes,” said Allison Reid senior vice president of North America Development at Starwood Hotels & Resorts.