The Lynnwood-based hotel developer that in November opened a Marriott SpringHill Suites on Northwest Avenue in Bellingham is getting ready to start construction on a second hotel that will connect to its first.

The developer, 360 Hotel Group, recently filed a building-permit application with the city of Bellingham to construct an 83-room, five-story wood frame addition to the SpringHill Suites. The addition will be an extended-stay hotel called Marriott TownePlace Suites.

Shaiza Damji, managing director for 360 Hotel Group, said her company hopes to begin construction on the TownePlace Suites in February 2014, pending building-permit issuance by the city. Most pre-construction work on the site has already been completed—including storm-water detention, utility connections, underground parking and foundation work—and the company is looking to complete its build out within six months in time for an August 2014 opening, Damji said.

The TownePlace Suites will feature a combination of studios, one-bedroom suites and two-bedroom suites, all with full kitchens.

The two connected hotels will share some amenities, including the swimming pool, hot tub and fitness center currently in the SpringHill Suites. The TownePlace hotel will run its own breakfast bar in its lobby, Damji said.

In other local hotel news, a building-permit application was recently re-filed for a five-story, 99-unit Oxford Suites hotel at 4051 Meridian St. The Oxford Suites brand, which is operated by the Oxford Hotel Group of Bend, Ore., has 14 locations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California.

Evan Marczynski, staff reporter for The Bellingham Business Journal, can be reached at 360-647-8805, Ext. 5052, or evan@bbjtoday.com.