What’s happening in downtown Macon? Here’s an inside look from NewTown Macon’s tour

Whether it’s relaxing with cocktails on a balcony overlooking a rooftop lounge or enjoying a spectacular view from a window of a renovated skyscraper, downtown Macon will soon offer an amenity it hasn’t had in recent history: hotel rooms.

The 11-story Hotel Forty Five at 682 Cherry St. is expected to open early next year with 94 guest rooms, a signature restaurant, a rooftop bar as well as a coffee and wine bar.

The nine room, boutique Woodward Hotel at 350 Second St. with its speakeasy Clovis & Quill bar and rooftop lounge with a separate public entrance is also under renovation-construction.

Considering its vibrant nightlife, an abundance of locally-owned restaurants and theater, concert and other venues, downtown Macon offers a desirable destination for an overnight stay, noted Josh Rogers, NewTown Macon’s president and CEO.

Also, a recent study commissioned by Visit Macon shows that downtown Macon can easily absorb 1,000 hotel rooms, he said.

Marking progress

The Hotel Forty Five and the Woodward Hotel/Clovis & Quill projects that transform historic buildings are part of NewTown Macon’s Tour of Progress for 2021. The annual tour highlights current, completed and future downtown revitalization efforts.

This year’s tour, which took place Wednesday with guides along the route to answer questions, showcased more black-owned businesses than ever before, according to Emily Hopkins, NewTown Macon’s director of place and Main Street Macon manager.

The self-guided tour can still be taken, with a map of destinations and the corresponding QR codes on sidewalks of corresponding locations expected to remain live on the NewTown Macon website until the end of October, Hopkins said. Just scan the QR code with a smartphone to read more about the highlighted business or projects.

Here’s glimpse of tour destinations:

• Woodward Hotel/Clovis & Quill — A joint venture between NewTown Macon and local developer Wes Griffith, the boutique hotel will offer four rooms on the top floor with two featuring balconies, including one that extends over the rooftop lounge. The remaining five rooms will grace the first floor, along with a bar that will service the rooftop lounge above it. The short-stay hotel will offer automated check-in.
• Hotel Forty Five — The four-story Bankers Insurance Building with its triangular corner was constructed in 1923 and the 11-story addition to the east in 1941. The transformation began in October of last year. The hotel’s name honors its 45-degree intersection of Cherry and First streets and Cotton Avenue.
• Church Hill on Cherry — Local businessman Bruce Riggins, in partnership with his son, Nicholas, is bringing an upscale, luxury cigar bar and lounge to 557 Cherry St. NewTown Macon assisted with a loan as well as training through its Developer’s Academy.
• Barfield Lofts — Vacant for more than a decade, this three-story, corner building at 596 Cherry St. underwent historic renovation when NewTown Macon and local developer Ryan Griffith teamed up. Four loft units are located on the second and third floors, while the first floor is available retail or restaurant space.
• 415 Cherry St. — This now vacant storefront will soon be home to two businesses: Total Chiropractic & Wellness Center and Pink Chief Boutique, owned and operated by Dr. Anissa Jones and her husband, Deon Aiken. A single luxury loft occupies the second floor.
• Bright City WILD and Cherry Street Mural — A mural etched on Cherry Street depicts notes floating on a river, a tribute to Macon’s own Little Richard and the Ocmulgee River. Colorful birds are suspended above a nearby alley where Macon-themed photos, which illuminate at night, can be found in this Bright City WILD display.
• Olde World Barber Shoppe — First opening shop in 2014 in Warner Robins, owner and head barber Jason Partridge expanded with a second location at 385 Cotton Ave. in March. The shop specializes in all hair textures and styles.
• Chic Culture — This Atlanta-style boutique at 446 Cotton Ave. also started in Warner Robins but closed that location to move to downtown Macon to better serve its customer base. The boutique is designed for both men and women.
• The Kaviar Beauty Bar — Co-owners Andria Sands and Leigha Axom worked together as makeup artists for Belk before opening their own full-service beauty bar at 362 Cotton Ave. This lounge-style shop offers hair, barbering, aesthetics, nails and makeup services and a complimentary glass of wine.
• Vibez — Co-owner and Tennessee Titans linebacker Bud Dupree of Wilkinson County ushered in this upscale brunch, bar and grill at 401 Cherry St. in July. The restaurant with its metropolitan club feel and chic interior design offers chef creations and specialty cocktails.
• A Brooke Haven Lounge — Nextdoor at 401 Cherry St, Suite 101, Darrin and Lesette Ford offer a sophisticated, relaxed setting at this upscale cocktail lounge. In 2019, the Fords participated in the Downtown Diversity Initiative, a program hosted by NewTown Macon in partnership with the Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages.
• Theatre Macon Education Studio — Serving Middle Georgia for 35 years, nonprofit Theatre Macon has expanded its space at 438 Cherry St. by acquiring the building next door to house its education studio.
• HamTHEC Solutions — Christèle and Ariane Parham brought their technology business offering cybersecurity, HIPAA management, IT support and web design services to 551 Cherry St. in 2020. In August 2019, the husband and wife team started Macon Black Tech, an organization designed to create safe spaces and build community around technology and innovation.
• Macon City Auditorium — Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the copper-domed Macon City Auditorium at 415 First St. was completed in 1925. Hosting concerts, meetings and other events, the auditorium’s assembly hall seats 2,700 people.

This story was originally published October 16, 2021 at 7:00 AM.