McNeill Hotel Company held official groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Homewood Suites by Hilton in Athens, Georgia on Wednesday February 22nd.
Along with the McNeil Hotel Company, W&A Engineering is looking forward to entering the development phase of this property. We joined McNeill in February 2016 to begin the planning process, creating the initial site design. Over the course of the year, W&A has been dedicated to helping McNeill make their vision a reality. W&A provided due diligence; grading, erosion control and NPDES permitting; utility infrastructure and design; storm water management; planting design; local permitting; land surveying; and we developed an alternative compliance plan. You can learn more about W&A services here.
All Smiles at the McNeil Hotel GroundBreaking in Athens, GA
A New Level of Extended Stay Excellence in Athens, GA
Scheduled to open Spring of 2018, the Homewood Suites – Athens is located at the edge of “The Mark”, a mixed-use development now under construction on nine acres between East Broad and Oconee Streets on the eastern edge of downtown Athens. The hotel will have 130 guest room suites featuring spacious one and two bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens and a separate living room area. Guests will enjoy extra comforts like free Wi-Fi, online check in and room selection, guest laundry room, pet friendly, and free grocery shopping services. The hotel will also offer upgraded guest amenities such as an expanded exercise room, huge outdoor seating area with grills and a fire pit, 1,000 square feet of meeting space, and a media room with a billiard table and bar area.
“It provides the city of Athens with an upscale, extended stay product that was currently lacking in the market.” -Mark Ricketts, President and COO of the McNeil Hotel Company
Based in Germantown, Tennessee, McNeill Hotel Company also owns and operates the Hilton-branded Hampton Inn Athens, located on West Broad Street. In total, the company operates 14 hotels across the Southeast, including other Hampton Inns, and the Marriott-branded Fairfield Inn & Suites, Towne Place Suites, Courtyard and Residence Inns.
Athens Mayor Nancy Denson Speaks With Fellow Groundbreaking Attendees
The Perfect Product for an Ideal Location
“When we were approached about developing a hotel as a part of the overall project, we immediately thought the Homewood Suites by Hilton brand would be a perfect fit,” said Mark Ricketts, President and COO of McNeil Hotel Company. “It provides the city of Athens with an upscale, extended stay product that was currently lacking in the market. The location is first class with its proximity to downtown, the Classic Center, the University, and Sanford Stadium. Its unique design and layout will provide the guest with a completely unique hotel experience.”
Browse our gallery below to see the great photos from the groundbreaking event!
