Paric Corporation completed construction of the Hampton Inn & Suites - Columbia at the University of Missouri just in time for Mizzou parents and tailgaters to enjoy Columbia's newest hotel.  Looking forward to one of the Missouri Tiger football team's best seasons ever, the hotel could not have picked a better time to open.

The four-story, 90,000 square foot hotel features 133 guest rooms, more than 5,000 square feet of convention meeting space, a private board room, three hospitality suites and can accommodate groups of up to 350 people.  There is also a 200 car parking lot and a future restaurant site.

The property is the only hotel in Columbia to offer 32" HDTV flat screens as standard in all guest rooms. Other amenities include complimentary wireless internet, a large indoor pool with whirlpool, a fitness room equipped with the latest "B-Fit" system and a complimentary hot breakfast.

The new Hampton Inn is so near campus that the hotel's slogan is: "If you were any closer to the University . you'd have to enroll!"  It is the closest hotel to the University of Missouri and is within walking distance to Faurot Field, Hearnes Center and the Mizzou Arena. It is strategically located at the Southeast entrance to the University of Missouri campus and replaces the former Campus Inn hotel built in 1976.  The hotel is located on a 4.2 acre-site at the intersection of Stadium Boulevard and College Avenue.

The hotel is owned by Stadium Lodging LLC which was formed by David Parmley, a St. Louis hotel developer with more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry including ownership of three other Hampton Inn hotels, two in Chesterfield, Missouri and one in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

The new Hampton Inn & Suites - Columbia hotel brings Parmley full circle. His first job after graduating college in 1983 was as the Campus Inn's Director of Sales. 

"We've really tried to connect with the University on all levels," said Parmley.  "Besides the black and gold theme throughout, with special Mizzou decor and photos of campus, we plan to partner with University groups to provide an enjoyable location for parents, alumni and even staff to meet.  We also hope in the future to offer internships for students in Mizzou's Hotel and Restaurant Management program.

The construction contract cost for the project was approximately $10 million, with financing provided by two St. Louis firms -- Advantage Capital Partners, a venture capital and small business finance firm and Southwest Bank.  This is the second Hampton Inn that Paric has built for Stadium Lodging LLC.

"It's always a good feeling to be selected to build a second project for a client," said Paric President P. Joseph McKee III.  "David does everything first class, and this project is no exception."