Bridgewater-based developer DC Hospitality Group LLC has received approval to demolish a long-vacant Route 46 fitness centre and build a four-story, extended stay hotel near Willowbrook Mall.

Wayne Planning Board commissioners voted 6-0 in support of the plans, which propose a 64,000-square-foot Home2 Suites extended stay hotel that includes 121 rooms and 131 parking spaces.

The applicant's attorney, Christopher Erd, of Norris, McLaughlin and Marcus, said DC Hospitality will tear down the 22,000-square-foot building currently located at the site. The building, built in the 1970s as a European health spa, later became a Jack LaLanne Fitness Center and eventually a Bally's Total Fitness before it closed.

"Over the decades, it has deteriorated to the point where it's a decrepit, old building," Erd said.

DC co-founder Bill Davidson said the group, a family-owned real estate company, has been working on the project for more than a year.

According to the founder's son, DC executive Stephen Davidson, the company is targeting a spring 2018 groundbreaking and intends to open the hotel's doors 12 months later.

"We are excited at the prospect of developing a Home2 Suites by Hilton in Wayne Township. We believe hotel demand in the area is under-served, and look forward to introducing a new, high quality Hilton-branded hotel to the community," he said.