Another stellar hotel is opening its doors in metro Atlanta. The Bell Hotel in downtown Athens, Georgia, recently announced its grand opening on February 11, 2025, following a comprehensive two-year renovation.
Originally built in 1916 for the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Co., this historic building has been transformed into a boutique hotel offering modern luxury while preserving its historic charm.
New Hotel Re-Opening in Athens: The Bell Hotel
The Bell Hotel features eight uniquely designed guest rooms, an expansive four-bedroom suite, elegant common areas, and a panoramic rooftop terrace.
The restoration was led by Atlanta-based developer Brad Foster, philanthropist Marie Brumley Foster, and their sons Nicholas, Drayton, and Ben, in collaboration with Athens-based architectural firm Arcollab.
The project meticulously preserved original architectural elements, including the cast iron stair carriage and balustrade, interior stair handrail, and steel-framed windows. The building’s yellow brick façade with intricate white glazed terra cotta details has been restored to its former glory. A notable addition is the rooftop terrace, offering panoramic views of Athens and serving as an ideal space for intimate gatherings and events.
“By pairing the charm of historical architecture with contemporary amenities, The Bell will offer guests a distinctive stay that honors the past and embraces the future,” says Roman Pedan, Founder and CEO of Kasa. “At Kasa, our mission goes beyond providing a place to stay—we aim to curate unique experiences that make guests feel at home anywhere. This project perfectly embodies our commitment to ‘unleash the potential of livable space,’ seamlessly blending the building’s storied past with our proven approach to modern hospitality. We’re excited to welcome The Bell into Kasa’s portfolio and look forward to crafting a destination unlike anything else in Athens.”
The interior design, led by Stacey Kirby of Atlanta-based Seiber Design and Claudia O. Stimmel of Simplicity: A Southern Lifestyle, introduces a vibrant, mid-century modern aesthetic that complements the building’s neoclassical roots. The designers employed a bold color palette, chic furnishings, curated art installations, and statement lighting to create a dynamic interplay of elegance and personality throughout the hotel’s public spaces and guest accommodations.
Where Is the Bell Hotel in Athens?
The Bell Hotel is located at located at 183 West Clayton St. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Upon entering the parlor-style lobby, guests are greeted by black-and-white marble flooring, a polished wood bar, and vibrant banquette seating, creating a warm and inviting communal area. The restored grand staircase, enhanced with a striking black-and-white striped runner, serves as a centerpiece. Artistic touches, including displays of ephemera uncovered during the building’s renovation and a hand-painted vintage telephone mural, offer glimpses into the building’s storied past. An Andy Warhol-inspired elevator interior adds a pop-art twist that surprises and delights guests.
The guest rooms and the third-floor suite exemplify bespoke luxury, blending rich colors, intricate patterned ceilings, modern sculptural lighting, and textural accents to evoke both comfort and sophistication. The bathrooms feature state-of-the-art fixtures and custom high-contrast tilework, enhancing the guest experience.
Final Word
To further enrich The Bell’s narrative, Atlanta-raised and Brooklyn-based illustrator Alex Robitaille was commissioned to create a series of hand-painted gouache-on-gesso portraits. These imaginative artworks bring to life fictional Jazz Age personalities for each room, infusing the property with a sense of whimsy and storytelling that captures the spirit of both its past and present.
Aside the hotels, metro Atlanta has plenty of nice places to stay and numerous cool things to do.
Atlanta has a lot of cool things to do and places to eat, including some of the top soul food joints and remarkable Thai food spots. Explore the city.
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