New Hotel Part of Downtown Lancaster Upgrade

The city of Lancaster and InSite Development are moving on to the next phase of the resurgence of the downtown area with a new hotel and remodeling of existing businesses. InSite, in Woodland Hills, is building a 105-room Marriott Residence Inn on the northwest corner of Gadsden and Lancaster Boulevard, adjacent to the recently opened Starbucks. It will feature a rooftop pool, a high-end lobby and podium parking. Additionally, InSite is renovating the RoShamBo Lounge inside BeX Bar & Grill into Buckles & Boots, a live country music venue. The work is scheduled to begin in January. BeX itself will become the new spot for Don Sal’s Mexican Restaurant, an upscale cantina relocating from nearby Rosamond. Also, the former BLVD Cinema is slated to become a Regency Theatre. The movie exhibitor is putting $150,000 into renovations of the three-screen theater, including electric reclining chairs. Finally, the retail space of Forge on the first floor of the building will be divided into smaller independent spaces for additional retail tenants. Scott Ehrlich, partner of InSite, has developed multiple projects in a nine-block stretch of West Lancaster Boulevard in the heart of downtown Lancaster into what has become known as The BLVD. The area now houses a vibrant streetscape with an art museum, bowling alley, apartments, dog groomer, eateries, a brewery and other retail businesses. “We are always looking for new ways to heighten the experience of The BLVD,” Ehrlich said in a prepared statement. “We did a broad search to find fresh new concepts that will complement and enrich downtown Lancaster’s nightlife opportunities, while also expanding the selection of dining and entertainment venues for our visitors.”