The Corporation of Hamilton has reaffirmed its commitment to having a St. Regis hotel built at the Par-la-Ville Car Park.

In June, Premier Ewart Brown announced the exclusive five-star hotel and residence development would open in the City of Hamilton in 2013.

The St. Regis Bermuda will feature 140 rooms and suites and 80 serviced residences, and will be located on the corner of Par-la-Ville Road and Church Street, overlooking the park.

It will be the first major luxury hotel to open in the city in more than 50 years. The result of 15 years of negotiations with various developers, the venture is spearheaded by luxury hotel brand Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide in their first project in Bermuda.

Speaking at a town-hall meeting at City Hall on Thursday night, development committee chairperson Pam Ferreira gave an update on the plans.

"The current status is that we are continuing to work with the developers and are very pleased to have started working."

Mrs. Ferreira explained the ground breaking will take place between July and December next year and the foundation will be laid sometime in 2011. The hotel will be opened by September 30, 2013, the latest.

At the time the plan was announced, Dr. Brown said: "It goes without saying that the property will represent the high quality service and immaculate luxury St. Regis is known for around the world. And I don't hesitate to affirm that the St. Regis reputation is right on target with the type of destination we are trying to create countrywide in Bermuda.

"By choosing Bermuda, St. Regis has endorsed this Government's commitment to a platinum level tourism product. The development team must get about the business of finalising their financing package.

"However, I am convinced those objectives are achievable, and I look forward to a new spectacular hotel in the confines of Hamilton. It is our country's most important commercial centre for leisure and business travellers, and soon it will have a stunning new hotel."

The hotel will be developed by Par-La-Ville Hotel and Residences Ltd. and the development partners are Virginia-based Unified Resorts Limited and New York-based Sagewood Investments LLC.