ATLANTA— A massive $138-million makeover is in progress at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The project began in August 2005 and is slated for completion in the summer of 2008. Several elements of the renovation have been completed at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, a John Portman-designed hotel. Most recently, a new cocktail lounge made its debut. Called Pulse, the lounge features a 50-foot-tall sail, the iconic symbol of the hotel. To attract attention to the new venue, an audible heartbeat sounds in the lobby complemented by a color-changing light show that changes throughout the day. Other new food and beverage venues include Sear, the hotel’s signature restaurant, and High Velocity, a sports bars with 21 plasma televisions and a Media Room with a 40-foot matrix projection screen. The hotel’s 1,663 guestrooms and 94 suites have also been renovated and the concierge lounge has been expanded. Additionally, there are now eight more atrium level meeting rooms with more than 11,000 square feet of total space. The Imperial Ballroom, 15 meeting rooms on the Marquis Level and 12 breakout meeting rooms on the lobby level have also been refurbished. Other changes include the introduction of the MStore offering gourmet deli, refreshments, sundries and gifts; and an on-site, fully-licensed Starbucks. The next renovation phase set for completion this summer includes a new indoor/outdoor swimming pool. Remaining projects include a new 6,000 square-foot health club and spa opening in March 2008; the redesign of the Marquis Ballroom to be completed in May 2008; and the addition of a 25,000-square-foot Atrium Ballroom by July 2008.
