The Augusta Commission has officially granted regulatory approval for a major new hospitality development in downtown Augusta, clearing the path for the construction of a 125-room extended-stay hotel. During their regular meeting on Tuesday, local commissioners voted unanimously in favor of a special zoning exception that paves the way for the multi-story commercial lodging project to proceed.
The commission’s unanimous decision applies directly to the parcels located at 1310 and 1310-A Walker Street. By approving the requested special exception, the governing body authorized a formal transition of the real estate’s classification, shifting the designated property from its longstanding industrial category to a commercial business zoning classification.
The approved zoning change allows for the construction of a new Residence Inn by Marriott. The development will bring a five-story extended-stay lodging facility into the urban core of Augusta, significantly boosting the area’s overnight room inventory and expanding options for travelers visiting the city center for both short-term visits and prolonged stays.
As outlined in the development plans submitted to municipal officials, the proposed five-story structure will feature a substantial physical profile. The building itself is designed to occupy a 20,234-square-foot footprint, situated strategically at the prominent intersection of Walker and 13th streets.
The total project site encompasses approximately two acres of land in downtown Augusta. The transition of this parcel from an industrial zoning status to a business district classification represents a notable redevelopment of prime urban real estate that previously supported heavy commercial and manufacturing uses.
Prior to the current hotel proposal, the Walker Street site was utilized for industrial operations. Most recently, the two-acre parcel served as an operating location for American Concrete before the industrial facility ceased operations and the land was repositioned for future commercial redevelopment.
The property is currently owned by PSH Augusta Downtown LLC, which acquired the two-acre Walker Street tract in 2022. The successful rezoning vote marks a significant advancement in the ownership group’s efforts to repurpose the former industrial site into an active commercial property.
The formal zoning application and regulatory review process were spearheaded by Hull Barrett, a prominent Augusta-based law firm representing the property owner. The law firm formally initiated the municipal approval procedure by delivering a detailed letter of intent to city officials on May 20, outlining the specifications and scope of the proposed hotel project.
According to the documentation provided by the applicant, the planned Residence Inn is tailored specifically to meet the needs of the extended-stay lodging market. To support guests remaining in the city for extended periods, every one of the 125 guest rooms throughout the five-story building will feature a dedicated kitchenette or comparable in-room cooking area.
In addition to the main five-story building structure, the site plan incorporates specialized infrastructure to accommodate guest vehicles on the two-acre property. The layout includes a dedicated parking facility designed to extend along the rear boundary line of the parcel, intentionally configured to follow the physical curve of the adjacent railroad tracks that border the site.
The property owner, PSH Augusta Downtown LLC, operates as an affiliate of PeachState Hospitality. Headquartered in Warner Robins, Georgia, PeachState Hospitality is an established regional hospitality development and property management firm with a substantial portfolio of branded hotel properties across the state.
The downtown Augusta project represents a continuation of PeachState Hospitality’s investment in the local market. The Warner Robins-based company already owns and operates multiple hospitality assets throughout the Augusta area, functioning under several nationally recognized hotel brand flags.
Within its existing Augusta lodging portfolio, PeachState Hospitality oversees two extended-stay and select-service properties located in close proximity along Marks Church Road. These existing holdings include the Residence Inn situated at 1110 Marks Church Road, as well as the adjacent SpringHill Suites located at 1116 Marks Church Road.
Furthermore, the company’s local hospitality footprint extends to the Washington Road commercial corridor. PeachState Hospitality also operates the Fairfield Inn & Suites located at 3023 1/2 Washington Road, reinforcing its presence across key commercial and travel corridors within the Augusta area.
With the unanimous approval of the special zoning exception by the Augusta Commission, the transformation of the 1310 and 1310-A Walker Street properties moves from the regulatory phase toward active development. The transition from a former concrete facility to a modern 125-room Residence Inn by Marriott marks a substantial commercial addition to the corner of Walker and 13th streets.
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