TYLER, Texas — Downtown Tyler is outgrowing its old self. Many new developments are coming to the area -- including the revitalization of the long-abandoned Carlton Hotel.
NORF, a development company out of New Orleans, has taken the hotel under its wing.
"We are super excited because just the ideas that are coming from them, bringing some residential to downtown with supporting retail is exactly what we have dreamed for that building," said City of Tyler Main Street Director Amber Varona.
In its prime after being built in the 1950s, the 115,000-square-foot, upscale hotel had a three-story parking garage, rooftop swimming pool and a cabana, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
Now, the building is empty and after a few failed attempts at revival, Varona is confident this time will be a charm.
"The steps that this current developer has taken has shown that they are truly interested in and going forward with what they are saying," Varona said.
Local business owners like Justin West, who owns Brands and Threads Apparel Company, are just as excited.
"Downtowns are so important because they need to be supported and grown and invested in," West said.
West explained what this would mean for his business.
"For my bottom line, it would be great," West said. "We have a lot of retail that we like to sell- just our own designs and our own prints. And so anytime that we can increase walk in traffic and increase foot traffic around here, I think it's a win for all of us."
Varona tells CBS19 these contracts and planning take time so it could be about a year or year-and-a-half before we find out how long this project will take.