Historic Downtown Atlanta Hotel Tower to Be Converted into Apartments

The article outlines a phased conversion plan for downtown Atlanta’s historic Rhodes-Haverty Building. The structure will transition from a Residence Inn by Marriott into 160 residential units while preserving its exterior, height, and much of its historic fabric.

The proposal, filed with the City of Atlanta, highlights adaptive reuse strategies and accessibility goals. It also emphasizes the building’s place in a broader urban redevelopment corridor near Woodruff Park and the city’s transit network.

Overview of the proposed conversion

The plan proposes converting floors three through 20 into 160 residential units. Floor 21 and the lower levels will be retained as-is to preserve the building’s exterior silhouette and architectural identity.

This phased conversion would require limited interior renovations. The project will use much of the existing hotel infrastructure, including plumbing and life-safety systems.

Eight accessible units with roll-in showers are designated across floors three through ten. This supports inclusive housing goals in dense urban cores.

Key scope and architectural approach

In keeping with a conservative adaptive reuse strategy, the project would:

• Preserve the exterior envelope and overall height of the 21-story tower that has defined the Peachtree Street skyline since 1929.
• Retain substantial hotel infrastructure, enabling a smoother transition from hospitality to multifamily use.
• Implement limited interior renovations focused on unit layouts, circulation, and essential services.
• Provide eight accessible units with roll-in showers across Floors 3–10, supporting compliant, inclusive housing.
• Keep life-safety systems largely intact, ensuring continued protection for residents and the historic fabric.

Historical significance and architectural context

The Rhodes-Haverty Building, completed in 1929 by Pringle & Smith, stood as Atlanta’s tallest structure for 25 years. It remains a landmark of early 20th-century urban design.

The building houses restored original lobby murals by Athos Menaboni, adding cultural and artistic value. This is prioritized in the conversion approach.

The structure’s location near downtown—north of Woodruff Park and adjacent to the Atlanta Streetcar line—positions it within a network of transit-oriented development and historic preservation initiatives.

Preservation as a value in urban redevelopment

This project reflects a shift toward adaptive reuse where historic façades are safeguarded while interiors are updated for modern housing needs. By retaining core infrastructure and the vertical massing, the project aims to minimize exterior changes while delivering modern living spaces.

Urban context: transit, culture, and nearby developments

The site’s location enhances its appeal for residents who rely on multimodal transportation. It sits just north of Woodruff Park, fronts the Atlanta Streetcar, and is less than a block from MARTA’s Peachtree Center station.

The surrounding area is experiencing a wave of redevelopment, including a planned 14-story, 188-room Residence Inn across Centennial Olympic Park. There is also a major conversion of the neighboring 51-story Georgia-Pacific Center into apartments and retail.

This clustering of projects reinforces the district’s move toward mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly urban living.

Implications for market and community

The project highlights the importance of compatibility with existing urban infrastructure and transit access. The phased conversion approach allows for careful coordination with life-safety systems, plumbing, and mechanical networks while minimizing disruption to the surrounding streetscape and city operations.

Planning status, timeline, and next steps

According to city records, the conversion was filed with Atlanta’s Department of City Planning on April 21. Detailed timelines, financing milestones, and phased implementation schedules have not been released publicly.

At press time, inquiries from press representatives were not answered. The actual sequence of approvals, construction phasing, and occupancy targets will depend on planning review outcomes, financing, and market conditions.

What this means for the design community

For architects, engineers, and developers, the Rhodes-Haverty project offers a case study in balancing historic preservation with modern residential requirements. It highlights the value of using existing infrastructure, ensuring accessibility, and integrating historic art and ornamentation within a contemporary housing framework.

The project reflects a growing preference for transit-adjacent, dense, and culturally aware urban redevelopment in major American cities.

Conclusion

As Atlanta evolves, the Rhodes-Haverty conversion shows how historic landmarks can be repurposed to meet housing needs. This project preserves architectural legacy while providing new uses for old buildings.

It serves as a model for redevelopment in other cities. The balance of preservation and adaptive reuse supports urban resilience.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Filings: Historic high-rise hotel building set for apartment remake