JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga.
The Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors approved a hotel development proposal presented by Trammell Crow Company that will bring three hotels and up to 535 new hotel rooms to the island.
The project will take place on the site of the former Buccaneer Beach Resort and Georgia Coast Inn. The former hotels, both built in the 1960’s were demolished more than six years ago. Trammell Crow Company acquired the land leases and has been waiting for improved market conditions to begin development plans.
Trammell Crow will work with McKibbon Hotel Group, Inc. out of Gainesville, Georgia and Lindsay Pope Brayfield Clifford & Associates, Inc. out of Lawrenceville, Georgia on the project. The proposal calls for the construction of a 210-room Courtyard® by Marriott and 150-room SpringHill® Suites to be side-by-side and overlooking the beautiful Jekyll Island beach.
A future 175-room full-service hotel was also approved for the 15.47 acre site. The first two hotels are planned to open June 2016, but could potentially open as early as late 2015. The full service hotel is planned to open in 2017.
Island Rules
Each hotel must comply with the Jekyll Island Design Guidelines and can be no more than four-stories tall. Arborists have inspected the site and have marked all important trees which must be preserved. Building and parking lot design will have minimal impact on the significant live oak canopy.
The new projects mark a significant milestone in the revitalization of Jekyll Island. The addition of the 535 potential hotel rooms will bring back hotel inventory to the level in 2002 with approximately 1500 units.
Of that, nearly 1000 rooms will be new and associated with major, nationally-recognized hotel chains. Available hotel inventory is a critical factor in attracting conventions to the island to utilize the new oceanside Jekyll Island Convention Center.
After its meeting, Jekyll Island Authority board members toured construction progress of the new Westin Jekyll Island and the new Holiday Inn Resort–both scheduled to open this year.
“We are pleased that revitalization has picked up momentum,” stated Richard Royal, chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority. “Trammell Crow has brought together an excellent team and we have the highest confidence for a quality project for the benefit of all Georgians.”
