One of central Arkansas' oldest neighborhoods is getting a rebrand. Wednesday morning, North Little Rock officials and industry representatives broke ground on the Arena District.
It’s an overhaul of the property adjacent to Simmons Bank Arena, and soon to be known as the “Gateway to Argenta.”
The project includes plans for a Marriott ‘Aloft’ hotel, an expanded and relocated Willy D’s Dueling Piano Bar, and a 7,000-square-foot event center.
North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick said the groundbreaking is the culmination of decades of work.
“For so many years, people would come up to me and say, 'I'd like to have a dinner for 375 people,' and for 20 years I'd have to say, 'Go to Little Rock." I couldn't stand it. With that, yes, I had a vision. Todd Larson and I talked about this more than 15 years ago, about an event center. But what we didn't envision was what the event center would bring. Aloft with Greg happening, coming down here, we've got another hotel going across the street. But what we have is progress.”
Hartwick says this is a central piece of the growing entertainment powerhouse he had envisioned for his city. He added that the city has already scheduled spots within the event center.
"It's a blessing, but meanwhile it's deserving. Our city council, the city works for it. [...] What's really happening is the new event center, 31,000 square feet. I think we already have it booked 15 times before we even open the doors.”
Willy D’s owner, Danny Brown, said he was thankful for his time in Little Rock, but moving across the river is an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
"We've had an incredible 20+ years down in the Little Rock River Market. It's really been good to us, and we're proud of what we built there. But when the chance came to be a part of this new Arena District, the gateway to Argenta, right next to the arena and surrounded by new hotels, development, and the energy that's here, we knew that was the next chapter for Willy D’s.”
Nabholz Properties is the driving force behind the $25 million mixed-use development. CEO Greg Nabholz said he is excited to build this addition to the Argenta Arts district.
Construction is expected to begin soon and could last around 18 months.
