New luxury resort on Tuscaloosa’s riverfront aims to attract sports fans year-round

The University of Alabama has enjoyed a record run of success on the football field under Nick Saban. But the UA has also seen a surge of success on the court in basketball, and in gymnastics.

It’s the kind of success that has the attention of Sports Illustrated. The company is eyeing Tuscaloosa as the home to its first luxury resort.

The announcement originally came in 2023.

On Thursday, more details about the proposed project were revealed during the Riverfront Advisory Committee Meeting.

It would sit off the black warrior river on rice mine road at the intersection of McFarland Blvd.

This resort is tailored specifically to capturing the passion of fans for college sports.

The centerpiece is a 10 story hotel with 137 rooms, accompanied by 250 timeshare units, and the 150 private condos and retail space.

Developers were asked how they plan to fill empty rooms outside of football season.

Elias Vavaroutsos with Lamar Johnson Collaborative LLC says it all comes down to planning and delivering experiences throughout the year. “The whole purpose of this is it’s kind of like a multi-purpose destination. So, with the living, with the vacation club, with the food and beverage and with the event lawn we’re trying to make the whole thing the attractor and a lot of it will be the events.”

The intent is to connect the project to Tuscaloosa River Walk.

The project now goes to council committee for consideration.