Luxury Sports Condominium Hotel Breaks Ground

By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorBlacksburg, Va.—Virginia’s first luxury sports condominium hotel, The Colosseum, will be breaking ground this afternoon. Developed by Virginia Tech alumni, the project is located in the heart of what is known as Hokie Nation and has pledged to donation a portion of the sale of each unit to the construction of the school’s new basketball facility.The two-tower, six-story, 241-unit development “is geared towards Virginia Tech alumni and fans who want to come to support things—specifically sports—done at Virginia Tech,” notes Jamie Oliver, director of marketing for the Colossum and president of Highlander Construction & Development. “We created an opportunity for people to have a place that they own—a luxury product—that they can stay in whenever they want to, but when they are not here, they can rent it out as a traditional hotel room or suite,” he adds.Designed by Kannapolis, N.C.-based Entasis Design PLLC, The Colosseum features classic Roman architecture and modern design. Buyers can purchase a fully furnished studio, one- or two-bedroom suite. Prices range from $189,900 to $879,900 for penthouses. Amenities include an indoor pool, spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, restaurant and bar, and courtyard. Managed by Salamander Hospitality, The Colosseum offers hotel services such as in-room dining, personalized concierge, valet parking, housekeeping, laundry and dry-cleaning, and Game day shuttles.In addition to the donation towards the basketball facility, The Colosseum has pledged to endow a $100,000 scholarship for a student athlete pursuing a degree in either property management or hospitality and tourism management. Additionally, throughout construction, internships will be offered to students in the building construction program. After construction is complete, internships will be offered to students in the property management and hotel and restaurant management programs.