2 hotels and restaurants coming near new Henrico sports facility

Richmond-based Shamin Hotels will build two hotels and two restaurants as part of the mixed-use developments rising around Henrico Sports & Events Center .

Why it matters: It's the latest development announced for Henrico County's massive sports center-anchored complex that is transforming the former site of Virginia Center Commons mall and driving millions in economic impact to the county.

State of play: Shamin broke ground last week on a Residence Inn that will be followed by a Home2 Suites hotel, collectively offering 225 rooms, per NBC12 .

• Shamin Hotels CEO Neil Amin also told NBC12 he's hoping to partner with a local operator to open a restaurant that's "authentic and local."
• Both are expected to open in 2026.

Fun fact: Shamin owns and operates around 65 hotels on the East Coast, with the majority in the Richmond area.

• These two hotels will be their 21st and 22nd in Henrico.

The big picture: Henrico Sports & Events Center opened in October and hosted more than 100,000 visitors in its first four months, according to the county .

• Sports tourism — youth athletes and their families traveling to compete in youth sports tournaments — is by far the biggest driver of tourism to the Richmond region.
• For the last two years ,before the center opened, Henrico has taken nearly half of all tourism spending in the seven localities that make up the region.

What's next: Housing is also planned around the sports center, including 400 condos or townhouses and hundreds of apartments, per the Times-Dispatch .

• The first 275 apartments should be available this fall.