The last floor is being laid, the last light fixtures going up, and the last painting being done on the long-anticipated hotel in the Empire Building.
The Elyton Hotel is putting finishing touches on the building before its scheduled summer opening in the historic building at 1928 1st Ave. N.
The 1909 building became vacant a century later when Colonial Bank moved out of the building in 2009. In August 2015, Buford, Georgia-based Ascent Hospitality announced it would bring the building back to life with a $45 million project to include two Marriott hotels, a restaurant, event space and a rooftop bar.
The project includes the adjoining former Tony’s building and former Alagasco headquarters, which will be a Fairfield Inn and Suites. That building recently started construction.
The inside of the hotel maintains a largely neutral color palette with pops of turquoise, and blends the building’s historic touches like the antique chandeliers and marble staircase with new touches like bright blue paint and creative light fixtures.
The inside of the rooms almost feel like a whole different hotel – bright yellow accents create a totally modern feel. Each room has a 49-inch high definition flat screen TV and complimentary wifi. Each also has a “smart fridge” – meaning the fridges won’t use full power to refrigerate until something is put inside it, saving energy.
“No two rooms are exactly alike because of the age of hotel,” Elyton’s Director of Sales Melanie Reno said.
The Elyton will be part of Marriott’s Autograph collection. The only other Autograph hotel in the area is Mountain Brook’s Grand Bohemian Hotel in Lane Parke. There are more than 100 autograph hotels wordwide, and the concept is that each hotel will be different from each other and from other hotels.
The Elyton will have 111 rooms and six suites. It’ll also have a 710-square-foot gym. The neighboring Fairfield Inn will have an additional 120 rooms.
The Yard restaurant and Moon Shine, the rooftop bar, will also open this summer.
Haller Magee, formerly the head chef at Satterfield’s Restaurant and at Sky Castle, will be the executive chef of the Yard and Moon Shine. The Yard will serve Southern progressive food with global influences and use local and seasonal ingredients. The main entrance will be on 20th street and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Moon Shine be open for lunch, dinner and late night, with small plates, wood-fired pizza, desserts and crafted cocktails.
http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2017/05/see_inside_the_elyton_hotel_be.html