Hyatt Regency Atlanta Completes $65 Million Transformation

October 15,2012

CAP Member, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, one of the city’s important landmarks and a notable example of 1960s American architecture (originally designed by John Portman) recently underwent a $65 million renovation.

In keeping with the building’s heritage, Stonehill & Taylor, New York-based architecture and interiors firm, redesigned the 735 guestrooms, specialty suites and executive lounge in a contemporary style that recalls mid-century influences.

“Since 1967, the Hyatt Regency Atlanta has serviced meetings and events of all shapes and sizes and we take pride in the history we share with the community,” said General Manager Joe Hindsley. “Hyatt Regency Atlanta is the original John Portman-designed contemporary atrium hotel and we are pleased to introduce this transformation.”

The artist and architect, John Portman designed this first contemporary atrium hotel in 1963, with an awe-inspiring large sculptural artwork, the Flora Raris, towering in the center of the lobby. The tallest building in Atlanta when it opened in 1967, the 22-story hotel has a rich history and has been a major inspiration for the new design.

“It was an honor to work with a Portman building,” said Michael Suomi, Principal and VP of Interior Design at Stonehill & Taylor. “Our design reflects a contemporary style and a new appreciation of comfort, while paying homage to 1960s American design icons, Florence Knoll and Portman himself.”

Guestrooms, specialty suites and the executive lounge were designed with elements borrowed from 1960s: High-character walnut was used in custom-made casegoods and chairs, bringing warmth inside the rooms, suites and the lounge. Sofas, upholstered in the slubbed fabrics, reflect the style and colors of the era. The new design picks up John Portman’s original use of red as accent color. Focal seating elements in mid-century modern style draw the eye through the use of red upholstery in rich velvet fabric.

Portman believed in close integration of art and architecture. Custom-designed guestroom carpets feature an illustration of a starburst inspired by Portman’s legendary Flora Raris sculpture located in the atrium lobby. Guestroom walls, the lounge and elevator banks are decorated with photographic artwork, inspired by works of Color Field artists like Ellsworth Kelly and Kenneth Noland.

The use of wood and warm colors brings in a feeling of comfort into the Executive Lounge. Walnut envelops the space, as it covers one full wall and creates a path along the ceiling before wrapping around the back of the room. Bright glazed handmade tiles behind the bar and rich velvet upholstery in the seating area creates a continuation of the Portman red from the rooms and suites. A custom created Op Art style screen creates a portal into an intimate meeting area in the back.

-Courtesy, HotelExecutive.com