The Intercontinental Hotel planned for the parking lot of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will take at least two years to complete, according to an interview Mayor Kasim Reed gave the AJC. Plans for the glassy hotel were unveiled back in July. There is speculation that John Portman & Associates will lead the design for the building, slated to occupy 10 acres just steps away from the domestic terminal.

In addition to the hotel, the airport plans to add a travel plaza and office-anchored mixed-use development on 16.5 adjacent acres. The land will be leased to a team of developers including Carter, Majestic Realty Co. and GPM Investments LLC as part of an "Airport City" to rise at the western end of the domestic terminal.

While the adjacency to the airport might be unique, the Intercontinental is hardly the only hotel slated to rise on that side of town. Visuals were released for the Solis to be located next to the recently opened Porsche facility just to the east of the airport. And in October, the groundbreaking took place for the Gateway Renaissance to be located near the Georgia International Convention Center, just a quick Skytrain ride away from the terminal.

· Atlanta mayor: InterContinental hotel at Hartsfield-Jackson will diversify revenue [AJC]