Mixed-Use Development Planned Where Highland Inn Has Stood Nearly 100 Years

After razing the historic property, Owners want to build retail and restaurant space on the ground floor and apartments and Airbnb units on top with parking underneath.
The Highland Inn Ballroom and Lounge
Photo courtesy of Highland Inn.

After standing for 93 years in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood, the historic Highland Inn & Ballroom Lounge is set for demolition, now confirmed by Highland Inn General Manager Steve Harvey in an email to What Now Atlanta Friday. 

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Harvey said that the inn, built in 1927, was struggling with covering its own expenses even before Atlanta’s economic shutdown, but the coronavirus ensured that the business couldn’t sustain itself.

“In investigating ways to make the Inn viable, we were researching possible renovation solutions,” Harvey wrote. “The engineers that looked at the building discovered serious structural issues. As a result after consultation with professionals, it was decided that demolition and rebuilding was the only option.”

In place of the Highland Inn, the team plans to develop the property into something that would be “an attractive addition to the neighborhood in keeping with the aesthetics and character of the surrounding area,” he said. This new development will feature retail and restaurant space on the ground floor and apartments and Airbnb units on top with parking underneath. 

“We hope that any redevelopment will become an iconic part of the Poncey-Highland district and reflect its values,” Harvey wrote. “I hope that we can work together with the neighborhood to keep-Poncey-Highland [sic] great.”

Paul Kim

Paul Kim

Paul Kim is a senior at NYU studying Journalism and Public Policy with a minor in Food Studies. A Korean-Taiwanese American born and raised in Atlanta, Paul holds a special appreciation for the diverse food city that Atlanta has become in the last few years. Paul especially loves Korean food because they don't use cilantro in their dishes. Paul hates cilantro.
Paul Kim

Paul Kim

Paul Kim is a senior at NYU studying Journalism and Public Policy with a minor in Food Studies. A Korean-Taiwanese American born and raised in Atlanta, Paul holds a special appreciation for the diverse food city that Atlanta has become in the last few years. Paul especially loves Korean food because they don't use cilantro in their dishes. Paul hates cilantro.

10 Responses

    1. If the structural issues are that bad, they shouldn’t be be operating the Inn and the ballroom now. Sounds like B.S. to me.
       

      1. I think it’s a ploy.
        Pretty sure this guy was setting this up when he launched his opposition campaign to
        historic zoning.
        This was a quaint little block, and now it’s going to be bastardized.
        And shame on the owner to threaten his tenants with rent increases from historic zoning.

  1. Kinda sounds like a pipe dream right now. This is an expensive undertaking, he’s not a traditional developer. I’m not sure he knows what he’s doing unless he’s going to joint venture with a company.

    1. I’ll also add commercial lenders do not want to be in the Airbnb business, so unless he’s building with cash, this doesn’t seem like it will get financed as proposed. Not saying it’s impossible, but unlikely.

    1. Or ya know, it could be rehabbed/retrofitted like the Cleremont/PCM/KSM.
      Why tear down an historic building and send it to a landfill? Greed, that’s why.
      If it was a ‘dump’ when you stayed there, that’s the management’s/owner’s fault– not the building’s fault.
      Or maybe you should’ve spent the money and not stayed in an old inn. In it’s current state, it’s not up to my standards, but it does provide lodging for those on limited funds…
       
      Stupid current owners could’ve sold it as a potential boutique hotel/inn. Jamestown didn’t tear down the old Sears building.

  2. My go to Inn when visiting Atlanta the last several years.I lived at 998 Ralph McGill many years ago and it’s always nice to stay close to my old neighborhood.Hate to see this happening

  3. With a renovation this place could be a real winner. Just look at the claremont. Not only was that place kinda run down, but it was literally VACANT for years and they turned it into something great. Coronavirus or no, there’s a market for it. People get bored of staying in Hampton inns, there’s a massive opportunity for these boutique hotels.

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