The recently opened 94-room boutique Hotel Forty Five in Macon, GA takes its design inspiration from the rich Southern history of its location.
The hotel—the first in Macon’s Historic Central Business District—is situated on the iconic 45-degree angle formed by Cherry and First St. and Cotton Ave., across from the newly designed Rosa Parks Square. The angled street was a city design ahead of its time that made transportation of cotton barges to and from the river possible. This emblematic wedge serves as the creative thoughtfulness behind the hotel’s name.
The property is part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio and is owned and operated by Mainsail Lodging & Development with IDP Properties developing the project.
“We were honored to be chosen for this project and to incorporate some of the original historical elements of the building to preserve its unique history as a Macon landmark,” said Margaret Brock, director, hospitality/principal, BRPH Interior Design. “Our design package tells the story of the building, the era in which it was built and the community in which it resides through an intersection of soft textures with a variety of wood tones, natural stone and copper detailing.”
Every corner of Hotel Forty Five tells a story of the area’s historic significance with a bit of wit, dash of class and a pop of color. Through engaging art, architecture and hospitality, guests will navigate through the area’s illustrations past and learn about historical influences who made a difference in Macon. At each elevator lobby on guestroom floors, visitors will find artwork paying tribute to a “historical influencer” and their contribution to Macon’s storied past.
“Macon’s rich history provided the inspiration for the brand, including numerous nods to the city’s favorite sons, musical legends Otis Redding, Little Richard and the Allman Brothers, as well as the area’s roots in the textile industry,” she said.
Key architectural elements, furnishings and finishes have been preserved and incorporated in various spaces throughout the hotel. Thoughtful preservation was spearheaded by Dunwody/Beeland, Architects Inc., which boasts three generations of architects in the Dunwody family. W. Elliot Dunwody was the first architect of the building which was originally Banker’s Health & Life Insurance Company, originally founded by Parks Lee Hay, the namesake of Macon’s historic Hay House.
The hotel’s food and beverage offerings continue the connections to the South’s rich history. A nod to Macon’s roots in the textile industry, Loom is named to draw attention to the many stories that are weaved in the history of Macon. Loom features a historic mural of workers inside of a textile mill along with hand-glazed ivy green tiles and copper accents. The decision for the ivy green tiles and copper accents stem from the natural process of patina, the green layer that forms on copper over time due to corrosion.
The venue celebrates the southern traditions of cooking by paying homage to locally sourced, artisanal ingredients whenever and wherever possible. To that end, their menus reflect the seasonal cycles of nature to underscore sustainability while inspiring new techniques throughout the year. Loom’s cuisine can be described as Southern Revival with equal parts of tradition and innovation.
Atop the sixth floor of the hotel, Hightales Rooftop Bar is a play on highball cocktails and the many larger-than-life tales of the city. Hightales will provide Macon natives and tourists alike with a whimsical experience. Drawing from Macon’s iconic music scene, cocktails have been named after famous songs from artists who hail from Macon.
