Four American Indian tribes and local developers have joined forces to build a $43 million hotel near the new National Museum of the American Indian under construction near the Capitol.

Developers broke ground for the 233-suite Residence Inn Capitol this month. The hotel, 333 E St. SW, will be three blocks from the $220 million museum, which is slated to open in fall 2004.

The hotel is scheduled to open at about the same time.

The project is a joint venture between Four Fires LLC, an economic partnership between four tribal governments, and the Donohoe Cos., a D.C. commercial real estate developer.

The tribes are the Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin; Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin; and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, both of southern California.

The 13-story Residence Inn Capitol will feature 2,400 square feet of meeting space, underground parking with 100 spaces and a business center.

— Douglas Fruehling