This week’s Project of the Week is in Southaven, Mississippi, where an Embassy Suites by Hilton is coming together alongside a major expansion of the Landers Center. The 240-room, full-service hotel is under construction as part of an $85 million development that also includes a new 77,000-square-foot convention center. Wealth Hospitality is developing the four-star property, with Dale Partners Architects handling the design. The hotel is expected to open in 2027, the same year as the rest of the expansion.

A Bigger Landers Center

The expansion is a joint effort between the DeSoto County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Southaven, and DeSoto County Government. The current Landers Center hosts events in a much smaller space, and the new convention center will change that significantly. At 77,000 square feet, it will allow the venue to host more conferences, trade shows, and special events than before. Once finished, Landers Center will be the only site in Mississippi to combine a convention center, an arena, and a hotel in one location.

The numbers behind the project point to a sizable economic push for the region. Officials project $35 million in economic impact within the first year alone, along with 150 events and 340 new local jobs. Here’s a quick breakdown of the projected impact:

• $85 million total investment
• $35 million projected economic impact in year one
• 150 events expected in the first year
• 340 new local jobs created

Inside the Embassy Suites

The hotel itself is a seven-story, all-suite building connected directly to the planned convention center. The property will include a large lobby and atrium, a 5,000-square-foot ballroom, a bar and lounge, and a restaurant serving multiple meals throughout the day. Guests will also have access to a resort-style pool area with multiple lounge spaces, a cabana bar, and a lazy river.

The combination of convention space and hotel amenities on one site is meant to give event organizers and attendees everything they need without leaving the property. Southaven’s location in DeSoto County, just south of Memphis, puts it within reach of a larger regional audience as well.

Construction is underway now, with the Embassy Suites and the rest of the Landers Center expansion both targeting completion in 2027. The hotel will operate under Hilton Worldwide’s Embassy Suites Hotels brand once it opens.