“Our city deserves world-class architecture,” says Jim Irwin, Atlanta native and president of local commercial real estate firm New City Properties.
The developer is behind the transformation of the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, which includes the bustling Ponce City Market and the Beltline, a 22-mile looped urban trail that connects 45 different neighborhoods, creating public spaces teeming with local businesses, restaurants, housing, art, and programs.
Among New City’s latest additions to the redeveloped area is the Forth Atlanta, a mixed-use concept rising 16 stories above the Historic Fourth Ward Park—on land formerly owned by Georgia Power—complete with 157 guestrooms, 39 extended-stay suites, an expansive pool area, wellness facilities, a members club, and four dining venues.
A linen mountainscape by BDDW’s Tyler Hays anchors the lobby
To bring the vision to life, Irwin tapped New York-based Morris Adjmi Architects to craft the structure and interiors, while Philadelphia-based Stokes Architecture + Design oversaw the F&B venues Elektra, Bar Premio, Il Premio, and Moonlight, both working closely with Method Studios, the design firm from the property’s operator, Method Co.
One of Morris Adjmi’s longtime collaborators, Method Co. CEO and cofounder Randall Cook hopes “the [hotel] will capture the energy and creativity of the Old Fourth Ward, establishing it as a new landmark destination in Atlanta.”
The first impression of the striking building is the lattice structure that wraps the glass tower. “It’s not just decorative,” explains Adjmi, founder of his eponymous firm. “It supports the entire building and enabled us to eliminate [interior] columns.”
In the concierge nook, a diorama by artist Becca Barnet of taxidermied foxes, butterflies, and greenery adds a whimsical touch
Past this sleek, modern façade is a more intimate lobby, its moody, lived-in quality achieved through elements like exposed wooden ceiling planks and a wood-burning fireplace paired with curated objects and handmade furnishings.
Artwork adds a crucial element to the layered design, with a forest painting by artist Jack Spencer found behind the reception desk and a mountain tapestry by BDDW founder Tyler Hays acting as the lobby’s focal point. “We wanted this to be focused and centered in Atlanta as well as to feel special and bespoke,” Adjmi says.
Beyond an arched entryway, the concierge nook reveals a sumptuous diorama by artist Becca Barnet featuring taxidermied foxes, butterflies, and greenery. Further, a detailed screened door off the lobby opens to ground-level restaurants Bar Premio and the adjacent Il Premio, a steakhouse anchored by a glazed brick fireplace, Gothic-inspired stained glass windows, and leather banquettes.
Elektra, the poolside restaurant and bar by Stokes Architecture + Design and Method Studios, draws guests in with its coastal-inspired design
The colors soften in the guestrooms, where an airy aesthetic unfolds via a floral wallpaper accent wall and a handknotted antique rug that sits atop oak flooring. “The dramatic feature in these rooms are the floor-to-ceiling windows,” Adjmi says. “They offer interesting framing of the city, the park below, or Ponce City Market.”
The pool, Elektra restaurant, and the members club are found on level 4. Exuding vintage sophistication, the latter boasts a rich palette of wood, earthy tones, and detailed cabinetry. Crowning the property is rooftop bar Moonlight, where groovy furnishings recall the vibrant restaurants of the 1970s. “It’s glam,” says architect Kira Broecker of Stokes Architecture + Design. “The built-ins and custom furniture have a Hollywood regency aesthetic, creating a truly unique space.”
The overall experience of the hotel, Adjmi adds, “is a warm, friendly, and inviting space that feels like the living room for this neighborhood and the city.”
@hospitalitydesign The FORTH Atlanta, a boutique hotel and members-only club, draws inspiration from classic Americana and contemporary European interiors, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that juxtaposes the building’s industrial façade. #hoteldesign #hoteltour ♬ original sound – hospitalitydesign
Leather sofas and a retro-patterned rug are set against a backdrop of glass block windows at the 1970s-inspired rooftop bar Moonlight
Beyond a set of wooden panel doors are two F&B concepts designed by Stokes Architecture + Design and Method Studios, Bar Premio and the adjacent Il Premio steakhouse
A bespoke floral wallcovering is a playful accent wall in the guestrooms
This article originally appeared in HD’s October 2024 issue.
