A Virginia Beach developer is slated to break ground on two Marriott hotel franchises in northern Suffolk within the next 30 days.

Tidewater Hotels and Resorts Inc. is investing more than $15 million in a 95-room Courtyard and a 72-suite TownPlace Suites at the intersection of Harbour View Boulevard and College Drive.

&uot;We will build them both simultaneously and plan to have them ready to open within the next 10 to 12 months,&uot; said Tim Stiffler, president of Tidewater Hotels.

Located on 4.5 acres near the entrance to Bridgeway Technology Park, the hotels will cater to the military and defense contractors working in Suffolk’s growing modeling and simulation industry.

Frequently, visitors come into town for several weeks at a time to work at the U.S. Joint Forces Command, Lockheed Martin Corp. and other area companies.

&uot;The presence of the military and defense contractors in that area is huge,&uot; Stiffler said. &uot;There aren’t any hotel rooms in the immediate area and TownPlace will be the only suite product for some distance.

&uot;I think this has been an underserved market for some time.&uot;

The Courtyard will include a full-service restaurant and lounge, he said.

Meanwhile, TownPlace will serve people spending more than a couple of weeks in the area, Stiffler said. The hotel’s one-and two-bedroom suites are similar to small apartments, with kitchens and living rooms.

&uot;We believe TownPlace will be a nice compliment to the Courtyard,&uot; he said.

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com