Downtown Binghamton Hotel to Reopen

Binghamton's Grand Royale Hotel is expected to resume operations this summer.

A group of investors from India is partnering with the Watertown dentist who owns the property to reopen the hotel and its restaurant.

The hotel has been closed since December 2013. Owner Nirmal Aujla had said it would undergo renovations and then reopen but that didn't happen.

Kishore Punjabi is a partner in Diamond Binghamton LLC, the newly-formed company that will operate the Grand Royale.

On WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, the investors said they are looking forward to bringing the historic structure back to life.

The building was completed in 1897 and served as Binghamton City Hall for several decades.

Since the 1970s, the property has been used as a hotel with a restaurant and lounge.

The investors plan to open a restaurant, a traditional sports bar and a hookah bar at the Grand Royale.

They said city officials have been working with them as they develop plans to restore the facility.

The investors said several dozen spaces in the neighboring Collier Street parking garage will be dedicated for use by the hotel.

About 60 rooms will be available in the hotel. It's not known how many people will be hired to work at the hotel and the related facilities.