New windows and a dark brown roof and suddenly the old Holiday Inn is beginning to look like a building that might one day hang the sign “Courtyard by Marriott”.
I got the hard hat tour of the interior this week. They are slightly ahead of schedule.
I did not get the sense that they are going to have a patio on the front of the building, but the restaurant/retail space at the front that has gone unused for so long is being shopped. Who knows what will develop from that? They are apparently looking to make the area by the conference center entrance an outdoor space.
I loved what I saw. And let me just say that the management that’s been brought on is fantastic. They seems to recognize the value of having the city as a partner, and are eager to welcome the public to the new place. It’s going to be a whole new era.
I was told this renovation is the pet project of the company’s ceo, and that he just toured the facility. They own and/or manage over 400 properties.
Because of the rather unique setting, the renovation is being watched closely region wide.
In past years, the hotel has always been a weakness for the Decatur Book Festival. Starting in 2012, it will be a strength.
And I love the way they are already promoting local events. They were a sponsor for the wine festival and their Facebook page is full of what’s happening locally.
Marshall St being broken up may not look nice but it sure slows those speed demons down who try to get around traffic on Ponce. There is a lot of foot traffic on Marshal, from Emory employees, Artisan residents, people walking their pets and the workers constructing the new and improved hotel. I often see people barrel down that street as if pedestrians don’t exist. So natures speed bumps are what we have to work with right now. If you take it at a reasonable speed it’s not so bad.
Anyone know if they are on schedule for Feb 1 re-opening?
Are they going to put a patio facing the street on the building?
I got the hard hat tour of the interior this week. They are slightly ahead of schedule.
I did not get the sense that they are going to have a patio on the front of the building, but the restaurant/retail space at the front that has gone unused for so long is being shopped. Who knows what will develop from that? They are apparently looking to make the area by the conference center entrance an outdoor space.
I loved what I saw. And let me just say that the management that’s been brought on is fantastic. They seems to recognize the value of having the city as a partner, and are eager to welcome the public to the new place. It’s going to be a whole new era.
I was told this renovation is the pet project of the company’s ceo, and that he just toured the facility. They own and/or manage over 400 properties.
Because of the rather unique setting, the renovation is being watched closely region wide.
In past years, the hotel has always been a weakness for the Decatur Book Festival. Starting in 2012, it will be a strength.
+1
Nice report!
And I love the way they are already promoting local events. They were a sponsor for the wine festival and their Facebook page is full of what’s happening locally.
Great news. Hope they fix the street next to it and behind it. It’s very broken up.
Marshall St being broken up may not look nice but it sure slows those speed demons down who try to get around traffic on Ponce. There is a lot of foot traffic on Marshal, from Emory employees, Artisan residents, people walking their pets and the workers constructing the new and improved hotel. I often see people barrel down that street as if pedestrians don’t exist. So natures speed bumps are what we have to work with right now. If you take it at a reasonable speed it’s not so bad.