The project is expected to break ground this year and open in spring 2018

On background

In 2007 Hard Rock International announced plans for a 270-room hotel with condos, opposite the Georgia Aquarium. Then the project was scrapped in the Great Recession.

Now what?

Hard Rock officials unveiled plans last year for a reimagined hotel (220 rooms, sans condos) on Centennial Olympic Park Drive. The location is accessible to places global tourists want to go: the aquarium; Georgia World Congress Center; Philips Arena; and especially Mercedes-Benz Stadium next door.

What to expect

The glitzy property will include a heated outdoor pool, rooftop “oasis,” several live music venues, and oodles of memorabilia. “Our common goal is to build a legendary music and entertainment hotel for the local residents of Castleberry Hill and all the fans of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Hawks,” said Todd Hricko, head of U.S. hotel development.

No dice

Unlike Hard Rock properties from Bali to Biloxi, the local venture has no aspirations of incorporating a casino should Georgia law allow it.

When?

The project is expected to break ground this year and open in spring 2018—in time for Atlanta’s 2019 Super Bowl and 2020 Final Four.

This article originally appeared in our July 2016 issue.