Southlake hotel, conference center proposed

The conference center would be racing-themed.

Southlake could be in line for a racing-themed hotel and conference center.

The Southlake Program for the Involvement of Neighborhoods (SPIN) recently received a presentation from Jeff Medici of C.H.O.C., LLC regarding a project that is proposed to be located on 15.5 acres near the intersection of State Highway 114 and Kimball Avenue.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to see the plans August 9.

Lot 1 of the project, which encompasses 14.2 acres, would include a racing-themed conference center in conjunction with a full-service hotel with a restaurant and bar.

The hotel is expected to include 175 rooms.

The conference center would include a 6,900-square-foot ballroom that would host 450 people.

Another feature would be a race track. The track would be used for team-building exercises, such as electric car races and pit crew competitions, and celebratory events.

The track can be operated separately for two events or combined into one track for one large event. Or, the track could be reconfigured into multiple events.

Other indoor features would include administrative office space and meeting rooms. Outdoor components would include a courtyard area, a leisure area with a pool, outdoor bar, a fireplace, and dining.

The conference center and the hotel combined would be designed to host corporate retreats or smaller events by reservation.

The project would feature both an indoor and an outdoor vehicle display.

Lot 2 of the project, which consists of 1.3 acres, would contain a 10,000-square-foot restaurant.

As far as phasing, the hotel and conference center would be built at the same time, as would the outdoor amenities, walks, parking, and the main driveway that connects SH 114 and Kimball.

Medici is looking to brand his conference centers as Turn 4 and develop several of them throughout the country. If approved by the Southlake City Council, the project would be his first in the country.