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Hyatt House Opens at Mohawk Harbor, Marking Another Milestone in Schenectady’s Transformation

On Monday April 21 the Capital Region Chamber joined local, county, and state leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the 100-room Hyatt House at Mohawk Harbor—a project that reflects both the growth of the region and the power of long-term vision. 

The ribbon cutting was emceed by Mark Eagan, President and CEO of the Capital Region Chamber, who framed the moment as more than the opening of a new hotel. He emphasized that the Hyatt House represents a critical addition to the region’s hospitality infrastructure, supporting business travelers, convention attendees, and visiting families drawn to Schenectady’s expanding list of attractions. The new hotel, Eagan noted, is a direct response to rising demand driven by ongoing investment in the waterfront and downtown. 

Situated within the Mohawk Harbor development, the Hyatt House stands out for its design—offering water views on both sides of the building—and for its flexibility. Angela Kimbo, Director of Sales for the Hyatt House, welcomed guests and highlighted the hotel’s dual-purpose layout, featuring 50 standard guest rooms and 50 extended-stay suites with full kitchens and living spaces. The property, she shared, is designed to accommodate both short visits and longer stays, making it an ideal fit for business, leisure, and extended travel needs. 

Taking attendees back to the site’s origins, Dave Buogilio of the Galesi Group reflected on the remarkable 16-year journey of Mohawk Harbor. Once home to the long-abandoned American Locomotive manufacturing plant, the 57-acre site now includes waterfront townhomes, luxury apartments, mixed-use space, a marina, Rivers Casino, and the adjacent M&T Bank Center. Buogilio noted that since the arena opened last August, nearly 85,000 visitors have already passed through its doors—underscoring the immediate need for hotel capacity and reinforcing the Hyatt House’s timing and importance. He credited a broad team of public and private partners for navigating complex construction schedules and bringing the vision to life. 

State leaders reinforced that sentiment. Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara pointed to the hotel’s impact on tourism and local spending, noting that increased lodging capacity supports nearby restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues while signaling that Schenectady’s revival continues to move forward. Senator Jim Tedisco highlighted the teamwork behind the project, emphasizing that collaboration—when no single partner seeks the spotlight—makes transformational outcomes possible. Senator Pat Fahy remarked on how Mohawk Harbor has reshaped perceptions of the area, noting that its success benefits the entire Capital Region. 

That collaborative spirit was echoed by Mayor Gary McCarthy, who described the hotel as a symbol of Schenectady’s broader economic resurgence. He pointed to the transformation of the harbor as proof of what can be achieved through strong leadership, patience, and sustained commitment, calling it a project that is making a real difference not just locally, but across the region. 

At the county level, Rich Russo of the Schenectady County Legislature tied the Hyatt House to the county’s “live, stay, play” strategy—an approach focused on creating communities where people want to live, work, and visit. He emphasized that continued investment is laying the groundwork for long-term economic strength.

As the ribbon was officially cut, the Hyatt House stood as both a new amenity and a powerful symbol—one that reflects Schenectady’s evolution from its industrial past to a vibrant, connected waterfront destination with momentum for the future.

All 2026 ribbon cuttings of the Capital Region Chamber and its affiliates are sponsored by Community Bank, N.A.