New Hotel Coming: Demolition Underway in Downtown Billings

The only constant is change, or something like that.

Last month, when I was walking from our downtown Billings office to the courthouse, I saw construction fencing going up around the property at the corner of 2nd Ave North and N 27th Street.

"Oh, this is the building they're tearing down", I thought, vaguely recalling a news story about a new hotel development. Then, not much seemed to happen for several weeks. I thought, "Well, maybe they're just remodeling or redoing the roof or something."

Read More: What’s Next For The Vacant 3Gs Gas Station on 27th Street In Billings?

Demolition crews began tearing down the building this week.

My first hunch was correct. Known as the Rockman building, the low-rise building with art deco brickwork is in fact being torn down to make way for a new hotel.

The Rockman building was home to several tenants over the years.

I've lived in Billings since the late 90s, and during my time in the Magic City, the building has housed a variety of small businesses, including art galleries, studios, and other eclectic ventures.

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As KTVQ reported last March, the property has been purchased by long-time Billings developer Bill Honaker and his business partner on this project, Don Cape of Bozeman.

The planned 7-story AC Marriott hotel will have 140 "upscale" rooms, with some retail or restaurant spaces available on the ground level. The cost is estimated at $40 million.

Opinion: Downtown Billings is on the verge of a new revival. Over the last year or two, several structures have come down (the Conoco at 6th and 27th, the HUB, downtown Denny's), opening up several large plots for future development.

St V's is moving dirt on its new $1 billion hospital, and we need to follow up for more info regarding a new high-rise, proposed in 2023, to take over the former Yesteryears Antique Store location.