Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and its new lifestyle brand, aloft(sm) hotels, celebrated the groundbreaking on a new aloft hotel in the rapidly growing north side of Jacksonville, Florida. Developed by The Summit Group, Inc., aloft Jacksonville Airport is scheduled to open in January of 2009.

"aloft Jacksonville Airport will bring its definitive sense of style and urban sensibility to the dynamic, north side of Jacksonville," said Brian McGuinness, Vice President of aloft and element hotels worldwide. "Custom-designed for forward-thinking travelers, aloft provides a fresh, new lodging alternative that will match the energy and excitement of Jacksonville, the 'Gateway to Florida."

"We are thrilled to partner with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. on this exciting new project," said Craig Aniszewski, COO and Executive Vice President of The Summit Group, Inc. "aloft Jacksonville Airport will only increase the appeal of the RiverCity Marketplace, a project that is truly energizing the city."

The first aloft hotels are targeted to open Summer of 2008.