Signia by Hilton Atlanta

Overview

Opportunity

Solution

Impact

Team

A New Convention Center Hotel Rooted in Southern Hospitality and Innovation

Location

Atlanta, GA

Client

, The Drew Company

Expertise

Hospitality Brand Design

Opportunity

Atlanta needed a world-class hospitality destination that could strengthen the convention campus, elevate visitor experiences, and catalyze downtown revitalization.

The Georgia World Congress Center welcomes more than 1 million visitors annually, yet lacked a signature hospitality experience capable of matching its scale and ambition. The Georgia World Congress Center Authority sought a destination that could support major conventions and events while expressing Atlanta’s unique identity. Beyond adding hotel rooms, the opportunity was to strengthen the campus, create stronger connections between visitors and the city, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of Downtown Atlanta and the rapidly growing Westside.

Why This Matters

01
Strengthening Atlanta’s Convention Economy
As competition among convention destinations increases, creating a world-class hospitality experience was critical to Atlanta’s ability to attract major events and visitors.
02
Creating Destination-Driven Experiences
Today’s travelers increasingly prioritize meaningful experiences over transactions. The hotel needed to become a destination in itself while extending guests’ engagement with Atlanta.
03
Connecting City and Campus
The project created stronger physical and social connections between the convention campus, surrounding neighborhoods, and Downtown Atlanta’s growing cultural ecosystem.

Signia by Hilton Atlanta complements our vision for a compact and connected campus featuring a package of facilities unrivaled in any city in the United States.

Solution

A vertically connected hospitality experience transformed the convention hotel model into a destination that celebrates Atlanta through design, culture, and community.

Rather than creating a traditional convention hotel, the design team developed an innovative “stacked amenities” concept that organizes hospitality, dining, and event experiences vertically throughout the tower. Public spaces were conceived as modern interpretations of Southern gathering places, weaving together local art, regional materials, landscape references, and architectural cues inspired by Atlanta’s neighborhoods and history. Direct connections to the convention center are balanced with welcoming community-facing spaces, creating a seamless experience for visitors while reinforcing the hotel’s role as a civic destination.

From brief to build: translating Southern hospitality into architecture and experiences that connect Atlanta’s past with its future.

The Gensler team partnered with Hilton, The Drew Company, and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority to define what a next-generation convention hotel could be. Design exploration focused on how hospitality could express Atlanta’s identity while supporting world-class meetings and events. Design and wayfinding teams worked together to create a cohesive guest journey, weaving local art, wellness, hospitality, and flexible gathering spaces into one unified vision.

Dynamic Amenity Design

The stacked amenities approach organizes spaces vertically throughout the building to create stronger connections and more dynamic guest experiences.

Impact

A new landmark destination strengthens Atlanta’s convention economy while enriching visitor experiences and fostering deeper connections to the city.

By creating a more connected hospitality experience, Signia delivers lasting value for the convention campus and Atlanta’s future growth.

What Changed Because of This

01
Elevated Hospitality
Signia reimagines the convention hotel experience, combining boutique-inspired design, elevated amenities, and authentic local character to create memorable guest journeys.
02
Downtown Activity
The hotel introduces new destinations for dining, events, wellness, and social engagement, helping attract activity and investment to Downtown Atlanta.
03
Community Connection
Local art, regional storytelling, partnerships, and public-facing gathering spaces strengthen visitors’ connection to Atlanta while celebrating the city’s identity.

Signia positions itself as a beacon, inviting Atlantans and visitors to engage with the city’s rich history and progressive spirit.

Recognition

01

Interior Design

In celebration of Gensler’s 60th anniversary, the outlet recognized Signia by Hilton Atlanta as one of the firm’s transformative hospitality projects.

02

Hotel Management

Coverage spotlighted the debut of the Gensler-designed Signia by Hilton Atlanta, the city’s largest ground-up hotel development in 40 years.

03

Atlanta Business Chronicle

The $450 million Signia by Hilton Atlanta made headlines with its opening in Downtown Atlanta, adding a major new hospitality destination to the city’s convention district.

Team

Project Leadership

[FPO] Doug Schuette

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[FPO] James Krygel

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[FPO] Kaitlin Kasay

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[FPO] Matthew Heyl

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FAQ

01

Where is the Signia by Hilton Atlanta located?

The project is in Downtown Atlanta, next to the Georgia World Congress Center.

02

What is the scale of the hotel?

The 42-story hotel spans 1.25 million square feet, with 976 guest rooms and suites, and over than 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

03

How does the project support the local economy?

The hotel is projected to create over 700 jobs, contributing to economic growth across the region.

04

How does Signia advance sustainability?

The project has received LEED Gold recognition and incorporates sustainable design strategies focused on long-term environmental performance.

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Related Expertise

Hospitality Brand Design

A New Convention Center Hotel Rooted in Southern Hospitality and Innovation

Atlanta needed a world-class hospitality destination that could strengthen the convention campus, elevate visitor experiences, and catalyze downtown revitalization.

Why This Matters

A vertically connected hospitality experience transformed the convention hotel model into a destination that celebrates Atlanta through design, culture, and community.

From brief to build: translating Southern hospitality into architecture and experiences that connect Atlanta’s past with its future.

A new landmark destination strengthens Atlanta’s convention economy while enriching visitor experiences and fostering deeper connections to the city.

What Changed Because of This