Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel

The Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel is a landmark skyscraper hotel on Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, beside the Peachtree Center complex. The property opened on February 27, 1976, as the Peachtree Plaza Hotel and was managed by Western International Hotels. Western International adopted the Westin name in 1981, after which the hotel became the Westin Peachtree Plaza. The building was designed by architect and developer John C. Portman Jr., whose work strongly influenced Atlanta's modern downtown identity. The tower is distinguished by its reflective cylindrical form, approximately 723 feet (220 meters) high and 73 stories tall. It contains 1,073 guest rooms and has a total floor area of roughly 1.2 million square feet. When completed, it was the world's tallest hotel and the tallest building in the southeastern United States. It also briefly held Atlanta's overall height record before being surpassed by newer office towers. Although it no longer leads the city in height, it remains notable for having more floors than any other building in Atlanta and Georgia. A major architectural attraction is the Sun Dial Restaurant and Bar near the top of the tower. Its dining levels revolve to provide changing views of downtown Atlanta and the surrounding region. The upper level completes a rotation in approximately 30 minutes, while the lower level takes about an hour. The hotel also opened with a highly theatrical seven-story atrium containing an indoor lagoon, fountains, trees, sculptures, tapestries, live birds, and floating cocktail islands. This elaborate interior was intended as a modern interpretation of a Venetian plaza. The lagoon was removed during a major lobby redesign that began in 1986, creating a more conventional hotel gathering space while retaining the building's emphasis on spectacle and public gathering. The property has historically served business travelers, tourists, convention attendees, and large social or corporate events. Its Peachtree Ballroom was the largest ballroom in Atlanta when the hotel opened and could seat approximately 3,500 people, although larger facilities have since been built elsewhere in the region. The building's elevated position and distinctive exterior have also made it a recognizable filming and broadcasting location. It was prominently featured in the 1981 film Sharky's Machine, although the film's apparent rooftop freefall sequence was actually staged at the nearby Hyatt Regency's similarly shaped tower. The tower suffered extensive damage during the March 14, 2008, tornado that crossed downtown Atlanta. More than 500 windows were broken, and the building visibly swayed during the storm. Because the original single-pane glass was no longer manufactured and modern building codes required stronger insulated glazing, replacing the approximately 6,350 windows became a complex, multi-year project. Skanska completed the exterior window renovation in September 2010, and repairs to the Sun Dial were completed later that year. The hotel has also faced serious safety incidents. In 2016, employee Carolyn Robinson died after becoming trapped in a walk-in freezer, leading to a federal workplace-safety fine. In 2017, five-year-old Charlie Holt suffered fatal injuries after becoming trapped between furniture and a wall at the Sun Dial. The restaurant remained open, but its revolving feature was suspended indefinitely after the incident. In June 2026, Portman Holdings, the real-estate firm founded by the tower's original architect, announced the acquisition of the hotel and plans for a comprehensive, multi-million-dollar renovation. The planned work represents another chapter in the property's continuing adaptation while preserving its role as one of Atlanta's most recognizable hotel landmarks.

The site occupied by the Westin Peachtree Plaza has been associated with prominent Atlanta institutions since the nineteenth century. In 1870, the state of Georgia purchased a Victorian residence at the southwest corner of Peachtree Street and what was then Cain Street for use as the state's first official Governor's Mansion. Seventeen Georgia governors lived there before the building was retired from that role in 1921. The residence was demolished in 1923 and replaced by the Henry Grady Hotel, named for the Atlanta Constitution journalist, publisher, and civic figure Henry W. Grady. The Henry Grady Hotel and the nearby Roxy Theatre were eventually cleared to make way for the present tower. The current building was designed by John C. Portman Jr., an Atlanta architect and developer whose projects often combined hotels, offices, public interiors, and large-scale urban complexes. The hotel opened on February 27, 1976, as the Peachtree Plaza Hotel under the management of Western International Hotels. Its 723-foot cylindrical tower immediately became a defining feature of the Atlanta skyline. The reflective glass skin, scenic elevators, and elevated revolving restaurant gave the building a highly recognizable identity. At completion, it was the tallest hotel in the world, the tallest building in the southeastern United States, and the tallest structure in Atlanta. The tower's height records were gradually superseded. In 1977, the Detroit Plaza Hotel, the central tower of Portman's Renaissance Center in Detroit, became taller as a hotel. Atlanta's overall height record passed to One Atlantic Center in 1987, while the Southeast Financial Center in Miami surpassed the tower's southeastern United States record in 1983. The Westin nevertheless retained important local distinctions, including its unusually high floor count and continuing status as one of Georgia's most recognizable hotel buildings. The original public interior was unusually elaborate. A seven-story atrium rose from a half-acre indoor lagoon filled with fountains. Trees, sculptures, tapestries, live birds, and oval cocktail islands were arranged to create an immersive environment inspired by a Venetian plaza. The concept reflected Portman's interest in hotels as theatrical public spaces rather than merely collections of guest rooms. By the early 1980s, the lobby's scale and complexity had also made it a subject of humorous commentary. In February 1986, the lagoon was drained as part of an $11 million renovation. The atrium was redesigned with carpeting, seating, and a more conventional hotel layout, while Portman described the revised concept as a colorful, light-filled interpretation of Tivoli Gardens. Western International Hotels changed its corporate name to Westin Hotels in 1981, and the property was subsequently renamed the Westin Peachtree Plaza. The hotel continued to operate as an upscale downtown property with substantial meeting and event capacity. Its Peachtree Ballroom, which could seat about 3,500 people, was Atlanta's largest ballroom when the hotel opened. The property also became visible through popular culture and communications infrastructure. It was featured in the 1981 film Sharky's Machine, although the apparent high-altitude stunt was filmed at the nearby Hyatt Regency rather than from the Westin itself. Television and radio broadcasters also used antenna facilities on the tower, particularly when it was Atlanta's tallest building. On March 14, 2008, a tornado passed through downtown Atlanta and severely damaged the hotel. More than 500 windows were broken, and the tower moved approximately two feet in each direction during the storm, within the structural behavior for which it was designed. Repairing the façade proved unusually difficult because the original quarter-inch glass was no longer manufactured, decades of weathering would have made replacement panes visibly inconsistent, and updated codes required stronger insulated windows capable of resisting higher wind speeds. A project to replace approximately 6,350 panes began in 2009 and was completed by Skanska in September 2010. The Sun Dial Restaurant was repaired and its renovation completed in November 2010. The property experienced two serious fatal safety incidents in the following decade. In March 2016, employee Carolyn Robinson died after becoming locked inside a walk-in freezer. Authorities imposed a $12,471 workplace-safety fine related to entrapment hazards and the accessibility of the exit. In April 2017, five-year-old Charlie Holt suffered fatal injuries after his head became trapped between a booth or other furniture and a wall at the Sun Dial Restaurant. The restaurant continued operating, but the rotating function was suspended indefinitely. In June 2026, Portman Holdings, the real-estate development company founded by John C. Portman Jr., acquired the hotel property and announced plans for a comprehensive multi-million-dollar renovation. The transaction connected the building with its original development lineage and indicated an intention to modernize the property while maintaining its landmark presence in downtown Atlanta.

• 2026

  Portman Holdings announces acquisition and renovation

  [1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Portman Holdings announced its purchase of the property and plans for a comprehensive multi-million-dollar renovation.

• 2017

  Sun Dial rotation is suspended

  [1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Following a fatal child-safety incident at the restaurant, the revolving feature was suspended indefinitely.

• 2010

  Façade and Sun Dial repairs conclude

  [1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Skanska completed the exterior window replacement in September, followed by completion of Sun Dial repairs in November.

• 2008

  Tornado damages the tower

  [1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  A tornado crossing downtown Atlanta broke hundreds of windows and damaged the building and Sun Dial Restaurant.

• 1986

  Lobby lagoon is removed

  [1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  An $11 million renovation began in February and replaced the original indoor lagoon-centered lobby with a more conventional gathering space.

• 1981

  Property adopts the Westin name

  [1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Western International Hotels rebranded as Westin Hotels, and the Atlanta property was subsequently renamed the Westin Peachtree Plaza.

• 1976

  Peachtree Plaza Hotel opens

  [1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  The Portman-designed skyscraper hotel opened on February 27 under Western International Hotels management.

• 1976

  Becomes the world's tallest hotel

  [1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  At 723 feet and 73 stories, the completed tower briefly held the world's tallest-hotel record.

• 1923

  Henry Grady Hotel replaces the former mansion

  [1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  The former Governor's Mansion was demolished and replaced by the Henry Grady Hotel.

• 1870

  Site becomes Georgia's first official Governor's Mansion

  [1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  The state of Georgia purchased the Victorian residence occupying the future hotel site for use as the official Governor's Mansion.

Upscale, landmark urban hotel combining Westin hospitality with a distinctive skyscraper setting, panoramic views, business and convention facilities, and a major Atlanta tourist attraction.

• Hotel accommodation · 1976

  Guest rooms and suites

  The hotel's principal offering is upscale accommodation within a 73-story downtown Atlanta landmark. The property contains 1,073 rooms and uses its elevated location, skyline views, and access to central business, entertainment, and convention destinations as key elements of the guest experience.

• Restaurant and bar · 1976

  Sun Dial Restaurant and Bar

  Located near the top of the tower, the Sun Dial is the hotel's signature dining attraction. Its rotating dining levels were designed to provide panoramic views of Atlanta, with different levels completing a revolution at different speeds. After a fatal accident in 2017, the revolving function was suspended indefinitely, while the restaurant remained open.

• Events and meetings · 1976

  Peachtree Ballroom

  The Peachtree Ballroom was the largest ballroom in Atlanta when the hotel opened and could accommodate approximately 3,500 people. It supports the property's role as a venue for conferences, banquets, corporate functions, and large social gatherings, although larger facilities now exist elsewhere in the region.

• Meetings and conventions · 1976

  Downtown Atlanta meeting facilities

  The hotel provides meeting and event infrastructure associated with a large convention-oriented urban property. Its location next to Peachtree Center and its extensive public spaces allow it to serve business groups, convention visitors, and private events in addition to individual leisure travelers.

• 2026

  Portman Holdings acquisition and planned renovationM&A

  Background

  The landmark hotel was acquired by Portman Holdings, the real-estate development firm founded by the building's original architect, John C. Portman Jr.

  Action taken

  Portman Holdings announced plans for a comprehensive multi-million-dollar renovation of the tower.

  Aftermath

  The announced transaction reconnects the property with its original development group and establishes renovation as the next major phase in the hotel's history.

  Source

• 2017

  Suspension of the Sun Dial revolving featureStrategy

  Background

  A five-year-old child suffered fatal injuries after becoming trapped between furniture and a wall while leaving the Sun Dial Restaurant.

  Action taken

  The restaurant remained open, but its rotating feature was suspended indefinitely.

  Aftermath

  The incident permanently changed one of the restaurant's defining attractions, although the dining venue itself continued operating.

  Source

• 2009

  Replacement of tornado-damaged windowsOther

  Background

  The 2008 tornado damaged hundreds of windows. Original replacement glass was unavailable, weathering made direct visual matching difficult, and updated building codes required stronger insulated glazing.

  Action taken

  The hotel began a top-to-bottom replacement program for approximately 6,350 exterior panes using stronger, bronze-tinted mirrored glass.

  Aftermath

  Skanska completed the exterior window renovation in September 2010, with more than 600 tons of glass recycled.

  Expected window-replacement cost. More than $20 million (2009-2010)

  Source

• 1986

  Redesign of the lagoon-centered lobbyStrategy

  Background

  The original seven-story atrium was organized around an indoor lagoon with fountains, trees, sculptures, live birds, and floating cocktail islands. The elaborate arrangement was later regarded as impractical for a modern hotel gathering space.

  Action taken

  The lagoon was drained and the lobby was rebuilt with carpeting, chairs, sofas, and a more conventional circulation plan as part of an $11 million renovation.

  Aftermath

  The redesign retained the atrium's scale and public character while reducing the complexity of the original interior concept.

  Renovation cost. $11 million (1986)

  Source

• 2026

  Portman Holdings announces acquisition and renovation plans[1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Other

  Portman Holdings announced that it had purchased the hotel property and intended to undertake a comprehensive multi-million-dollar renovation of the landmark tower.

• 2017

  Fatal accident at the Sun Dial leads to suspension of revolving feature[1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Five-year-old Charlie Holt sustained fatal head injuries after becoming trapped between a wall and furniture while leaving the Sun Dial Restaurant. The restaurant stayed open, but its rotation feature was suspended indefinitely.

• 2016

  Employee death leads to workplace-safety fine[1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation

  Employee Carolyn Robinson died after becoming trapped inside a walk-in freezer. The hotel was fined $12,471 for cited entrapment hazards and inadequate protection of the freezer exit.

• 2010

  Exterior window replacement completed[1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Skanska completed the replacement of the hotel's tornado-damaged exterior windows in September 2010. Repairs to the Sun Dial Restaurant were completed in November.

• 2008

  Westin Peachtree Plaza damaged by downtown Atlanta tornado[1]Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A tornado crossing downtown Atlanta broke more than 500 windows at the hotel and caused the tower to sway. The damage led to a complex replacement project involving thousands of custom windows.

1. 1Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotelen.wikipedia.org