A major new addition to the lodging scene is making its way to downtown Atlanta, as developers have recently filed permits for a Residence Inn by Marriott at 355 Centennial Olympic Park Drive.
This latest filing marks the second time in six months that the developers have sought permits for this location, where plans for a hotel have circulated for over five years.
The .8-acre site, situated directly across from the north end of the iconic Centennial Olympic Park, has been a former gravel parking lot that has seen minimal use for several years.
According to plans approved by the City of Atlanta, the proposed 14-story building will feature 188 guest rooms, with accommodations located on the top nine floors.
Recently filed permitting paperwork includes details on a sixth-floor swimming pool and an open parking garage, among other important aspects of the project.
The Residence Inn will be strategically located just one mile from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the venue for upcoming World Cup matches.
With a majority of the hotel’s rooms offering views of notable attractions such as Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, this location is poised to attract both tourists and business travelers alike.
Plans for the hotel include the lower five floors being allocated for 129 parking spaces and electric-vehicle charging stations, all backed by a perforated screen designed by Niles Bolton Associates, the Atlanta-based architecture firm spearheading the project’s design.
Moreover, the design will incorporate a dual-use bar and restaurant at ground level, a pool deck overlooking Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard, and a terrace for guests to enjoy stunning views of Centennial Olympic Park.
Initially, High End Investments, a Houston-based developer, had applied for building permits earlier in 2023 but appeared to step back from the development.
However, Niles Bolton Associates still indicates that High End Investments remains the client, along with Hardem Hotels, while Marriott International Inc. is listed as the hotel’s franchisor.
Recent inquiries have been made with Marriott and Niles Bolton Associates to determine the expected timeline for groundbreaking and completion of the hotel.
This story will be revisited as more information becomes available from the involved parties.
High End Investments acquired the lot for $3.8 million, which is significantly lower than the $10.5 million it commanded in a pre-recession sale in 2008, based on Fulton County property records.
A previous proposal for a 10-story Candlewood Suites at the same location was never realized due to complications brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In September, the project was offered as a package that included both the land and the approved hotel plans, for an asking price of $14.5 million.
Current records show the owner as Texas-based Soneri Investment Group, with a total construction budget pegged at approximately $39.7 million.
When completed, the Residence Inn will be three stories shorter than its neighbor, the 17-story Generation Atlanta apartments, which were completed in summer 2020.
The architecture firm intends to balance playfulness with sophistication, with design elements that include a modern aesthetic and natural materials such as stone, concrete, and hardwood throughout the hotel.
If all goes as planned, this Residence Inn will join a growing number of hospitality ventures near downtown’s beloved Centennial Olympic Park.
Recent years have seen the opening of the 22-story Margaritaville resort condo, featuring 200 suites, as well as nearly 1,000 hotel rooms from the Signia by Hilton project last year.
Additionally, Centennial Yards is set to finish its 292-room Hotel Phoenix soon, while a 10-story, 183-room Moxy Centennial Olympic Park is scheduled to begin welcoming guests in the second quarter of 2026.
For an in-depth look at the Residence Inn site context and available images, refer to the gallery above.
image source from：https://atlanta.urbanize.city/post/downtown-hotel-centennial-olympic-park-permits-happening-images
