Campus Hotel Will Tentatively Open in February 2013

Construction of the Hilton Garden Inn at Stony Brook is ongoing en route to its , with the developer saying it is 65 percent complete.

Frank E. Toner, CEO of Harbor Construction Management, LLC, said in an email to Patch that crews have experienced minimal issues during construction.

"We are looking forward to providing the university, university hospital and the surrounding area with a first-class hotel capable of supporting their needs into the future," he said.

The exterior of the building as well as the landscaping, parking lot paving, and signage is expected to be completed by mid-November, according to Toner. He also said the interior construction will continue through late December, when the furniture, fixtures and equipment will be installed.

Toner declined to comment on the amount of money the company has invested in the development.

The Hilton Garden Inn project started out as a controversial one. Community groups and students had to build a hotel on that site, located across from the university's parking garage near the main campus entrance.

A lawsuit brought by the Stony Brook Environmental Conservancy delayed the construction, but in October of 2010, a judge which prevented the removal of trees from the site.

When it opens, the five-story building will be LEED-certified and will offer guests 135 guest rooms along with conference space, an indoor pool, and other amenities.