Trenton Council Sought Grant to Revitalize Vacant Hotel

The city plans to acquire the closed former Marriott hotel on West Lafayette Street to facilitate a major redevelopment.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Commercial

Trenton Council Sought Grant to Revitalize Vacant Hotel

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The Trenton City Council has authorized an application for a $4 million NJEDA Stranded Assets grant to acquire a vacant hotel on West Lafayette Street. Following the purchase, the city intends to sell the property to a developer for one dollar to support a comprehensive renovation project.

Why it matters

The facility has remained shuttered since 2017 due to unresolved safety violations, leaving a prime piece of city real estate unusable. This redevelopment initiative aims to restore utility to the site by converting it into a mix of long-term housing and hotel space for state workers.

The former Lafayette Yard Marriott, which opened in 2002, was shuttered in 2017 after failing to meet sprinkler system safety standards. The new development proposal calls for two floors of long-term housing and three floors dedicated to hotel space.

The players

Trenton City Council

This is the governing body responsible for the city's legislative affairs and municipal budget approvals.

NJEDA

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is the state agency tasked with fostering business growth and economic revitalization.

TetraBilt

This is the development firm tasked with the renovation and future management of the West Lafayette Street property.

The details

The city will utilize the state grant to purchase the building from its current owner before transferring ownership to the developer, TetraBilt. TetraBilt has committed $20 million toward the total renovation costs to bring the property back into active service.

The hotel originally opened as the Lafayette Yard Marriott in 2002.
The facility closed due to safety violations in June 2017.
Trenton officials first announced the grant proposal in November 2024.
The City Council voted to authorize the grant application on October 6, 2026.

Roadmap

This project aligns with statewide urban renewal efforts that prioritize revitalizing abandoned properties through targeted public-private partnerships. By leveraging government grants to address structural blight, Trenton is positioning its downtown core to better accommodate the housing needs of the state workforce.

The renovation project is expected to expand available long-term housing options for state employees and contractors working in the city. Residents may see a reduction in local blight once the long-vacant building on West Lafayette Street begins its planned transformation.

The takeaway

The transformation of this site demonstrates how municipal governments can use targeted state grants to overcome legacy safety issues. The transition from a vacant hazard to a mixed-use facility highlights the role of public-private cooperation in local urban development.