Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

According to the street address given on the Marriott website, the upcoming Renaissance Minneapolis Bloomington will be at the site of the (former??? The building still has the sign, but it doesn't seem to be bookable) Crowne Plaze Minneapolis Airport West (not the same as the Crowne Plaza Aero, which is much closer to the airport, on the light rail line, and will include the relocated NWA History Center museum). It's a six story building from 1970 with 253 rooms which was put up for sale at some point. IMO to make this old tired hotel into a Renaissance the best plan would be to tear it down completely, which might be consistent with the goal of opening in February 2018 (long after the Super Bowl).

The location is just south (across I-494) from the Sheraton Bloomington (former Sofitel) and near a bunch of cheaper chain hotels, roughly halfway between the US169 and MN100 intersections, but closest to the East Bush Lake Road exit. It's next to some nice looking newish suburban office buildings (with a decent restaurant and bar) that face a small lake. Otherwise there's nothing nearby. The distance to the airport would be almost ten miles, all along an expressway subject to bad traffic jams but there are some tricks using side streets.