New Hotel Site Back Under Consideration For Broad Street in Downtown Augusta

Plans for a new seven-story hotel at 1140 Broad Street are waiting for city approval. The project would transform three old buildings in Augusta's historic downtown area.

City officials have scheduled a key public meeting for September 25, 2025. The Augusta Historic Preservation Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building to look over the building plans.

Located between Augusta Candle Company and Garden City Social Nightclub, this spot has been of interest since 2021. A faded demolition notice now stands at the site, showing movement in the long approval process.

Last year, Richmond County courts got involved. They told property owners to fix the buildings' decay through repairs or tear them down. While the preservation board approved demolition in August 2024, they added strict rules before work could begin.

This project continues the downtown revival trend. The street's building history includes I.M. Pei's creative 1977 design at 600 Broad Street. Just a year before that, the Executive House Hotel opened during Governor Sanders' time in office.

The block's history goes back to the Richmond Summit, still standing at 744 Broad. After fire destroyed the first building, workers built its Italian Renaissance replacement in 1921.

Buildings next to the planned hotel site can get preservation money. These funds help keep the historic look while fixing outdated parts.

At the upcoming meeting, commission members will check every aspect - from building methods to layout plans. Their choice could change the look of this important part of Broad Street.