A franchise license agreement has been signed to allow for the construction of an up- to-101-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites behind the Hampton Inn on Sunchase Boulevard off of E. Third Street.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announced the franchise signing Friday.

“The new Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel, which is planned to open in late 2017, will be professionally managed by Marshall Hotels & Resorts and will be located one mile from historic downtown Farmville,” according to a Managment Services Corp. (MSC) press release. MSC will develop the hotel.

“The hotel will feature an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center and a 24-hour business center,” according to the release. “There will be 1,350 square feet of meeting spaces, which will comfortably accommodate up to 75 people. Guest rooms will feature contemporary styling, comfortable queen, king-sized or two double beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair and an in-room Keurig coffee brewer featuring complimentary Smart Roast 100 percent Arabica coffee. The room will feature ample power located conveniently throughout the space, including outlets and USB ports built-in to the bed headboard and desk.”

Construction of the four-story hotel could begin this fall, according to MSC.

Months ago, MSC Vice President of Development Trey Steigman told The Herald that the investment group has secured a franchise license agreement to have a Holiday Inn brand of hotel in Farmville.

The property where the hotel is slated to be built is owned by Farmville Too, LLC, which has a principal address of 102 S. First St., Charlottesville — the same address as MSC’s.

MSC is responsible for the commercial development of Sunchase Cinema 8, the retail stores around it, the Hampton Inn, Sunchase Apartments and the new dialysis center.

According to the release, the hotel will be built using the brand’s new design solution, “which was created to meet the evolving needs of the brand’s target guest who is looking for a simple, smart travel experience. The design features an appealing combination of fresh, energetic and engaging elements, creating a distinctive style that is evident at every touch point of the Holiday Inn Express brand experience.”

“We think the Holiday Inn Express & Suites brand will be a perfect fit for the growing Farmville market and will appeal to business, leisure and group travelers,” said Douglas E. Caton, the managing general partner of the new hotel’s investment group. “The Sunchase development is the ideal location near Farmville’s historic downtown and convenient to Longwood University, Hampden-Sydney College, Centra Southside Community Hospital, High Bridge Trail State Park and many other local area destinations. We are grateful for the strong support we have received from the elected public officials and the staffs of the Town of Farmville and Prince Edward County and we look forward to opening this brand new community asset next year.”