Monday, April 14, 2008
Marriott In West End?
Posted by: Lain // Category: Atlanta, Historic Preservation, Really?, Ridiculous Demands, West End // 8:19 am
Suna Om–investor, business owner, and fellow member of the West End Merchants Coalition–wants to build a Marriott right down the street from the Wren’s Nest.
(photo courtesy of the AJC. They’ve got three more in this album.)
Gosh, what is that little dog doing behind her?
Anyway, I had no idea that she has a Marriott in mind. Her property is about three and a half blocks east of us, just across from Hank Aaron’s Krispy Kreme and the Mall West End.
Here’s what I like–this idea is totally out of left field. If you walked by her property today, you’d go, “Really? A Marriott? Ohhhkay, lady.”
I really like the prospect of bringing a hotel to West End. What a great kick in the pants that’d be.
Here’s what I’m skeptical about–the location.
Granted, those old buildings are a little grimey. But they’re also neat old urban storefronts that already cater to a lot of street life. I’d hate to see them torn down. It would change the neighborhood irrevocably, and not for the better.
Put a little money into cleaning those buildings up, and they’re no different than what you’d see in more successful shopping districts like Little Five Points or East Atlanta Village.
(thanks for the picture, Amber!)
Of course, I’m not the one bringing the money to the table. Nor do I have much idea of what property is on the market, but it seems like there are more than a handful of better, nearby locations for a Marriott–
Say, perhaps, the empty parking lots around the corner where people sometimes sleep on discarded mattresses.
Or the newer gated, cookie-cutter apartment complexes that bisect the community with fences and parking lots.
Replace those with a well-executed hotel, and the neighborhood would gain economic steam and retain its historic character. Developers, especially here in Atlanta, tend to overlook the economic importance of authentic vintage flavor (ahem–old streetcars, houses, libraries, etc.).
We’ve got a great, urban neighborhood here in West End. My fear with the Marriott idea is that it will cause the neighborhood will become a victim of its own success before it even has the chance to be really successful (again).
That said, assuming she is sensitive to the historic and urban fabric of the West End neighborhood, more power to Ms. Om. I’m excited to follow her progress, and I hope she inspires others.
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Lain, you are exactly right. A hotel ought to be added to the mix in WE rather than supplanting the retail already there. Perhaps she will consider another location. A hotel would be great - and it is so needed - it would be another way to connect with the AU Center -
I think you could do both…use the current location but keep the storefronts. Why not just use the current storefronts and build up.
Deb, I like that idea a lot.
One example of building up but keeping some historic facades is the new development on Auburn Avenue. I think they did a great job by retaining the historic character of the street while adding quite a few new residents and storefronts. Too bad it’s not always the cheapest option!
Glad you like the idea. BTW, turns out this woman I met online is the niece of Walter M. Brasch, who wrote ” Brer Rabbit, Uncle Remus, and the ‘Cornfield Journalist’: The Tale of Joel Chandler Harris”. Small world. Told her we had to go to the Wren’s Nest sometime since neither of us has been.
Deb, please come to the Wren’s Nest on a Saturday when I’m there because I would love to meet both of you. Plus you can hear storytelling at 1:00. Mr. Brasch’s biography of JCH is fabulous, my favorite one, and is a best-seller in the Wren’s Nest gift shop. I have often wanted to write to him to say thank you but didn’t know how to reach him. Maybe his niece will convey the message? I volunteer at the Nest every Saturday (except this week I’ll be off) so come on over!
[...] The Wren’s Nest » Marriott In West End? “Granted, those old buildings are a little grimey. But they’re also neat old urban storefronts that already cater to a lot of street life. I’d hate to see them torn down. It would change the neighborhood irrevocably, and not for the better.” (tags: atlanta development urban) [...]
Due to my work schedule, I’d have to come by on a Saturday, so no worries Mama Shakes. Plus, the niece lives in Columbus, so she would be up here for a weekend visit. I have to admit when she told me I was all excited and said “you got to get him to come down to the Nest…or maybe the Decatur book festival” Yes, I am that much of a geek. But evidently he doesn’t travel much due to various health issues. But he does have a website at http://www.walterbrasch.com/contactInfo.htm and the home page has a Contact link up at the top which has a page with all his info (email, phone) so maybe you can reach him that way also.
If we come I’ll drop ya’ll a line in advance so you’ll know it.
[...] Or even these people, featuring recently-blogged-about West End Developer Suna Om (she gave me her card!): [...]