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2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2007
World of Coca-Cola Attraction Relocates and Expands
World of Coca-Cola moved to a new location beside the Georgia Aquarium on May 24, 2007. The new 75,000-square-foot attraction houses more than 35,000 square feet of exhibit space. The New World of Coca-Cola features contemporary glass-and-stainless steel architectural design on one side, dominated by a 27-foot frosted replica of its famous contoured bottle encased in a 90-foot glass cylinder. Visitors can expect more samples at the popular serving stations where guests taste the variations of Coke around the world and more interactive displays. The new location includes more than four acres of outdoor space including a large lawn, a reflecting pool and a plaza shared with the aquarium that pays tribute to Coke inventor John Pemberton.
Cobb Welcomes Energy Performing Arts Center
Cobb Galleria opened a $106 million multipurpose performing arts center in September 2007. The first phase includes a 2,750-seat theater, 10,000 square feet of meeting space, state-of-the-art lighting and acoustics and a parking facility. Full-service food and beverage capabilities, rehearsal rooms, a café and a gift shop are additional features. The avant-garde design features a pedestrian-friendly entry park with green space, walking paths, botanical gardens, plazas and water features. Future phases of the project include plans for a 700-seat recital hall and 200-seat black box teaching theater.
Aquarium Event Space Grows by 10,000 Square Feet
For $1.5 million, the Georgia Aquarium expanded its event space by 10,000 square feet in October 2007. Due to high demand by event planners, the event space now contains 7,000 additional square feet for parties, cocktail receptions and overflow seating. Private meeting rooms and a green room are available for television interview or public speech preparation. Pre-function space will also be added for receptions being held prior to events.
Historic Winecoff Hotel Becomes the Ellis Hotel
Located on Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta, the 127-room Ellis Hotel is a highly anticipated new boutique hotel in the space that was formerly the Winecoff Hotel. The hotel underwent a $26.8 million renovation and opened October 2007. The hotel houses a ground-floor cafe and a second floor devoted to meeting space, a cocktail lounge and dancing. Originally constructed in 1913, the Winecoff Hotel is the site of one of the deadliest fires in U.S. history.
New Mixed-Use Development Named Allen Plaza
A nine-block, mixed-use development named in honor of former Atlanta mayor and civil rights leader, Ivan Allen, Jr., began development in 2007. Located between Peachtree Street and Centennial Olympic park at the northern edge of downtown, destination restaurants such as French American Brasserie already call the area home. The W Hotel Downtown will be the next addition in December, 2008. When the final phase is completed, the plaza will include more than two million square feet of office space; 200,000 square feet of neighborhood retail and restaurants; more than 3,000 residences; and more than 500 luxury hotel rooms. The project is expected to cost a total of $1.95 billion.
2008
W Hotel Midtown
The Sheraton Colony Square Hotel at Peachtree and 14th streets has been transformed into a sleek, ultra-modern W with 466 rooms that opned on March 18, 2008. The property features the first Bliss Spa to open in Georgia and celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's famous restaurant, Spice Market.
Hilton Garden Inn Opened Downtown
Hilton Garden Inn opened near the Georgia Aquarium and Georgia World Congress Center on March 25, 2008, adding 242 rooms to the market. The hotel was developed by Legacy Property Group as part of their mixed-use facility Park Pavilion, which will encompass 32,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space and parking.
The Mansion on Peachtree
The Mansion, a luxury hotel in Buckhead, features 127 hotel rooms, a 15,000-square-foot spa and 4,000-square-foot fitness center. Neo, a contemporary Italian restaurant, opened May 8 and celebrity-chef Tom Colicchio's Craft restaurant opens this fall.
Sky Hike Opens at Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain, Georgia's most visited attraction, celebrated its 50th year of outdoor fun by adding a new activity Memorial Day weekend. Daredevils will have a new way to see the park this summer with a trek through the treetops on the nation's largest family adventure course. The Sky Hike will feature suspended bridges, high ropes and vertical nets. Experience new challenges- some up to 40 feet in the air- while secured to the patented overhead safety system.
The Millennium Gate
The Millennium Gate is a 73-foot tall monumental arch dedicated to Atlanta's philanthropic families. The monument opened July 4, 2008 near Atlantic Station and can be compared to the Washington Arch in New York, the Wellington Arch in London, the Carrousel Arch in Paris and the Siegestor Arch in Munich.
The Atlanta Marriott Marquis
The Atlanta Marriott Marquis is undergoing a $138 million renovation set for completion on July 24, 2008, adding 40,000 square feet of meeting space, seven new restaurants and bars, a spa, fitness center and updated technology. The hotel has also established several environmentally-friendly initiatives including using fluorescent lighting and installing a water recycling plant.
Twin 40-Story Towers Planned for Peachtree Street
Phase I of a new $450 million mixed-use center with twin 40-story Peachtree Street towers will be opening in fall 2008 as part of 12th and Midtown. This office/hotel skyscraper and condominium high-rise will be located at 1075 and 1080 Peachtree Street.
W Hotels to Open in Buckhead and Downtown
Two additional W Hotels, the urban boutique hotel of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., are slated to open in Buckhead and Downtown. The new W Buckhead Hotel will open in October 2008 with 291 guest rooms, rooftop bar, a two-story restaurant and 7,000-square-feet of meeting space. A 237-room hotel is planned for the mixed-use project Ivan Allen Plaza in Downtown. This W Hotel will also include 75 condominiums and will open December 2008, giving the city the most W hotels in any U.S. market other than New York.
AmericasMart Gets Makeover
Atlanta's downtown trade complex facility, AmericasMart, will add a new two-story ballroom and event facility in fall 2008. This 70,000-square-foot addition will be placed on top of Building 1 of the AmericasMart complex. The new space will be used for weddings, corporate events and gala parties. AmericasMart is the largest marketplace of its kind and attracts more than 548,000 attendees to its facility space of 6.2 million square feet.
Buckhead to Acquire New 46-Story Mixed Use Tower
The Stratford, a planned 43-story project, is the newest development in Buckhead to include $6 million condominiums, a 300-room hotel and ultra-chic fashion boutiques. Scheduled to open in 2008, phase one of the project will include stores on Peachtree Street with three floors of condominiums above. In phase two of the project, a luxury 300-room Hilton will rise on top of the condominium floors with 190 more condos above the hotel. The last phase consists of a 20-story tower with 300 condominiums built behind the hotel.
InterContinental Hotels Group Launches Second Hotel Indigo
In December 2008, Atlanta's second Hotel Indigo will open on Ellis Street in Downtown. Formerly the historic Carnegie building, the boutique property will feature wall murals that change every four years in guest rooms and a lobby with changing backgrounds, music and scents to complement the seasons.
CONRAC Constructed at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
The new Consolidated Rental Agency Complex (CONRAC), opening in 2008, will be a centralized area housing all the airport's rental car companies. An Automated People Mover System will operate from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to the new CONRAC facility, with an intermediate stop at the Georgia International Convention Center.
2009
Palomar Hotel Scheduled to Open in Midtown
A $100 million investment will be funding the 304-room hotel and 38 residences of Palomar Hotel, which will be located in Midtown at the corner of Abercrombie and West Peachtree Streets in early 2009. This pet friendly property will be a part of Kimpton Hotels & Resorts and include an onsite fitness center and 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
Luxurious St. Regis to Open in Buckhead
An ultra-luxurious 26-story hotel, the St. Regis, is scheduled to open spring 2009 with 150 rooms and 50 condos at Peachtree and West Paces Ferry Roads in Buckhead. The St. Regis is to offer top-drawer services and amenities and include a 9,200-square-foot ballroom.
Streetcars Planned for Peachtree Corridor
Running from Buckhead to Downtown, Atlanta Streetcar will complement existing and future transportation systems by acting as a short transit shuttle for those traveling along the Peachtree corridor and through parts of downtown.
2010
Center for Puppetry Arts Plans Expansion and New Exhibition
The Center for Puppetry Arts, the largest museum dedicated to puppetry in the country, is planning an expansion that will double the museum's current size and will allow for the museum to bring many of its 4,500 collectibles of out storage. The museum will also open a new, long-term exhibition, bringing to life puppetry's global and ancient history.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Comes to Midtown
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel will move its U.S. development offices to Atlanta from New York City and will open a $10 million hotel with 200 rooms, 70 residences and a three-story spa.
Loews Atlanta Hotel to Anchor 12th and Midtown
Loews Atlanta Hotel will be the centerpiece of 12th & Midtown, a mixed-use development that will be part of the forthcoming Midtown Mile. Slated to open in April 2010, Loews Atlanta will have 414 guest rooms and a distinctly southern vibe.
Streets of Buckhead to Add Baccarat Hotel
A Baccarat Hotel and Residences will come to the Streets of Buckhead. This mixed-use development will feature 100 guest rooms, 42 condominiums and a Baccarat crystal boutique.
1 Hotel Coming to The Streets of Buckhead
1 Hotel will be located in The Streets of Buckhead, a new development that promises to be one of the South's glitziest mixed-use districts. 1 Hotel will be a two-tower structure with a spa in the middle. One tower will have 175 hotel rooms topped by 48 condos; the other tower will house 50 condos. This new boutique hotel will also feature retail space and will be LEED certified, meaning it will have to meet certain green building standards.
Hard Rock Bringing Hotel Brand Downtown
A Hard Rock Hotel will be the focal point of a contemporary mixed-use development near the Georgia Aquarium. This 270-room hotel that promises a rock-star experience will open in late 2010.
Hilton Comes to Midtown
A new Hilton property* is coming to Midtown. Planned for the corner of 10th street and Williams Street near Georgia Tech, the hotel will have approximately 182 rooms. (*Land has been purchased but development not confirmed).
Center for Civil and Human Rights
The Center for Civil and Human Rights will offer visitors insight into the contributions made by Atlantans and Georgians to the historic struggle for African-American freedom and equality. In addition, the Center will house the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection and feature interactive audio and video exhibits. The Center will also include a meeting and performance space for artistic and educational programming. Historical landmarks such as the Jimmy Carter Center, Sweet Auburn Historic District and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site are located in the surrounding area of the Center. These establishments will present opportunities for visitors to engage in the ongoing dialogue on freedom and equality issues for people at a national and international level.
2011
One of the World's Most Accesible Airports Expands
The latest improvements to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport include a $5.4 billion development program which will expand, repair and upgrade designated areas within the airport's facilities. In 2011, a new international terminal will be completed, allowing passengers to access the landside without having to use an automated people mover. It will include access to the roadway, a parking structure and a provision for the southern MARTA extension to the terminal. Concourse E is expanding with 900,000 new square feet, including international passenger ticketing facilities, 10 additional gates, two levels of curb-front parking and approximately 1,100 public parking spaces adjacent to the terminal. An expanded airport people mover will also provide direct access to MARTA.
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