Two locally rooted firms, Spark GHC and J ROC Development, have announced a joint venture to develop a premium dual-branded select-service hotel on the SouthPark Mall property in Strongsville, Ohio. The project, internally called Project Mustang, represents a unique blend of community investment, hospitality expertise, and a shared vision for the city's future.
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Spark GHC and J ROC Development joint venture to develop a premium dual-branded select-service hotel in Strongsville OH.
The Project Mustang development will be developed on a parcel already zoned for hospitality use, in alignment with SouthPark Mall's master plan to repurpose underutilized space to better serve community needs. Spark GHC and J ROC Development are moving forward under a 50/50 joint venture post the recent signing of a purchase and sales agreement with the seller.
Both firms bring deep local ties and strong development track records. Nick Catanzarite, principal at J ROC Development and a member of the Pat Catan's family, lives in Strongsville and has developed several high-profile properties across the Cleveland area. Saagar Parikh, a principal at Spark GHC, was born and raised in Strongsville and still has family in the city.
“This is home,” said Nick Catanzarite. “Our team lives here, works here, and is raising families here. I've seen and experienced firsthand the lack of short-term stay and hotel options in the City, and we're proud to partner with Spark GHC to bring a hospitality offering that reflects the values and needs of our city.”
“This is more than just a project for us, it's personal,” added Saagar Parikh. “I grew up in Strongsville and went through the Strongsville school system. I know this community. I care about what gets built here and the long-term impact it has.”
The hotel will be a branded, premium dual-branded select-service property designed to serve both corporate and leisure guests. Positioned next to retail, dining, and entertainment destinations, the location is ideal for visitors attending sporting events, local tournaments, or doing business in Strongsville's industrial corridors. As Northeast Ohio plans for major regional developments, such as the anticipated new Cleveland Browns stadium, projects like this ensure Strongsville is well-positioned to capture future visitor demand and economic opportunity.
This announcement comes at a meaningful time in Strongsville's continued evolution. As the city looks to reimagine key sites like SouthPark Mall to better serve the community, Spark GHC and J ROC are uniquely positioned to deliver. J ROC Development is recognized for its design-forward approach and has led some of Northeast Ohio's most distinctive adaptive reuse and community-focused projects, including Strongsville'sCamden Woods, a recently completed, and fully leased 82-unit luxury townhome development. Following the strong success of Camden Woods, J ROC is making a strategic investment in a Strongsville market it knows well, recognizing that a new, premium dual-branded upscale hotel, especially at Southpark Mall, will fill a gap in the community. Spark GHC brings extensive experience developing hotels across the Midwest under leading brands such as Hilton, Marriott, and IHG, including its role in Cleveland's transformativeProject Scarlet.
“Our intent is to bring something best-in-class to the city, not just another hotel, but a thoughtfully integrated piece of the community,” said Amit Patel, a principal of Spark GHC. “We're ready to deliver a hospitality asset that complements Strongsville's character and profile.”
Project Mustang will mark the next step in Strongsville's evolution, delivering an upscale, walkable lodging option that reflects the city's growth, values, and sense of place.
Additional project details, including brand confirmation and timeline, will be announced in the coming months.
About Spark GHCSpark GHC is a minority owned, U.S. focused private real estate firm focused on developing, acquiring, and operating hospitality, multi-family, and commercial assets. Spark GHC's mission is to improve the daily guest experience through technological innovation, remain strong stewards of the community where assets are located, and be a driver of positive culture. The Spark and GHC family of companies have $500 million in assets under ownership consisting of -3,300 hospitality keys and multi-family units. Over the past 24 months, the companies have acquired 12 hotel assets and 2 multi-family properties. Spark GHC was founded by Amit Patel, Bhavesh Lad, Bhavin Patel, Michael J. Smith, and Saagar Parikh. The sponsor team has a diverse background spread across Main Street and Wall Street. Learn more at www.sparkghc.com. Contact them at mgmt@sparkghc.com.
About J ROC DevelopmentFounded in 2010 and led by Nick Catanzarite, J ROC focuses on innovative real estate development, blending commercial, residential, and mixed-use properties with an emphasis on sustainability and modern design. Headquartered in Cleveland, OH, J ROC has a combined portfolio exceeding $280 million in completed and active developments. This includes the highly anticipatedShoreway Tower project, currently under construction in the lakefront Battery Park neighborhood on Cleveland's near west side. Learn more atwww.jrocdevelopment.com.
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