One of Atlanta's most iconic buildings is returning to its roots. Portman Hospitality Fund I has acquired the Westin Peachtree Plaza from Marriott International, reuniting the 73-story cylindrical tower with the architecture firm that created it.
The deal, announced May 21, marks the first investment by Portman Hospitality Fund I, LP. The fund was built around the thesis that large, branded, full-service hotels in major U.S. cities are entering a renovation cycle, and buyers with in-house design and construction teams are better positioned to execute those upgrades.
The Westin Peachtree Plaza at 210 Peachtree Street was originally designed by John C. Portman Jr. and opened in 1976 as the tallest hotel in the world. Its mirrored-glass facade still rises 723 feet above downtown Atlanta, and its 1,073 rooms make it one of the largest hotels in the Southeast.
Portman plans a full renovation of the hotel's guest rooms, public spaces, and meeting facilities before Super Bowl LXII, which Atlanta will host in 2028. Marriott will continue managing the property under a long-term agreement.
The timing is strategic. With the FIFA World Cup arriving next month and the Super Bowl two years away, downtown Atlanta is positioning itself for a surge of major events. The Westin's renovation will be closely watched as a bellwether for the hospitality market's confidence in downtown's future.