The City of Bridgeport no longer has a major hotel after the Holiday Inn on Main Street abruptly closed its doors earlier this month.

The new owners plan to convert the building into luxury apartments.

Developer Primrose Companies acquired the old Bridgeport Holiday Inn this month after the 286-room hotel saw flagging attendance during the pandemic.

The Holiday Inn was the last major hotel chain in Bridgeport. New owner John Guedes says he's keeping 18 of the 105 units for short-term visitors.

Guedes says while Primrose specializes in affordable housing, the units going in are meant to attract young professionals commuting to New York who can hopefully bring some of their disposable income to the neighborhood.

He says downtown Shelton saw major development after Primrose brought in market rate housing there nearly 20 years ago.

Renovations will begin one floor at a time, so that the first units can get on the market as soon as possible.

"I envision within six to seven months, having the ninth floor ready for occupancy. And then every month thereafter, one floor," said Guedes.

Guedes says he plans to have the hotel's restaurant, bar and catering facilities reopened by early summer.