Centennial Yards development in downtown Atlanta is expanding its planned Entertainment District with the addition of Virgin Hotels, a 261-room hotel scheduled to open in 2027 as part of the $5 billion, 50-acre mixed-use redevelopment transforming the city’s core.

 

CIM Group and Centennial Yards Company, along with The Drew Company, announced today, April 22, 2026 that Virgin Hotels will bring its signature lifestyle brand to the project. The hotel will serve as a cornerstone within the Entertainment District, which is planned to span approximately 470,000 square feet and will revitalize underutilized land in downtown Atlanta into a hub of immersive venues, dining, retail, and hospitality. The district is located adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena, and is expected to become a major destination for live entertainment and culinary experiences, with tenants including Live Nation and Cosm already announced.

Virgin Hotels Atlanta

Virgin Hotels Atlanta will feature 261 rooms built around the brand’s “Chambers” concept, with each room designed as a multi-functional space for rest, work, and leisure in a stylish setting. The hotel’s accommodation mix will include 21 Grand King Chambers and 21 One-Bedroom Suites, while upper floors will feature the property’s most premium keys, anchored by a Penthouse Suite and “Richard’s Flat,” described as the brand’s signature residential-style offering.

Planned amenities

Planned amenities include a large pool deck with 10 private cabanas, a seasonal exterior bar, and an adjacent event lawn. The hotel will also include approximately 2,900 square feet of flexible meeting space across three rooms for business and creative use.

Food and beverage offerings

Food and beverage offerings will include a ground-floor lobby bar designed for morning coffee and late-night cocktails with an outdoor patio, a signature restaurant and pool bar with a private dining room and covered terrace overlooking the Entertainment District plaza and pool deck, and a rooftop bar and lounge designed for social gatherings, private events, and late-night use with views of the surrounding sports and entertainment district. A Chops Lobster Bar location will also open on the ground floor of the hotel.

 

“Virgin Hotels brings a bold blend of energy, personality, and world-class hospitality, and we’re proud to welcome their first Georgia location to Centennial Yards,” said Brian McGowan, president of Centennial Yards Company. He added that the partnership reflects the shared effort with The Drew Company to deliver a vibrant district focused on connection, culture, and downtown Atlanta’s future.

 

Joe Margison, CEO of Virgin Hotels, said the company is excited to bring Virgin Hotels to Atlanta, noting that Centennial Yards aligns with its vision for a vibrant neighborhood and that the brand aims to deliver its mix of heartfelt service, bold design, and playful spirit to the property.

 

John P. Drew, CEO of The Drew Company, said the firm became involved after observing the transformation of Centennial Yards during work on the nearby Signia by Hilton Atlanta, and described Virgin Hotels as a strong fit for the Entertainment District and downtown Atlanta.

Master developer

Centennial Yards Company operates as the owner and master developer of Centennial Yards, created by CIM Group. The project ranks among the largest and most ambitious city-center developments in the United States and connects surrounding communities while creating new city blocks at the junction of rail lines where Atlanta was founded.

 

Centennial Yards Company said momentum continues in the Entertainment District as Cosm’s immersive venue, Shake Shack’s first downtown Atlanta location, and The Irish Exit prepare to open in 2026. A 5,300-seat Live Nation venue is scheduled to follow in 2027, anchoring the district with a major live entertainment destination. Also in 2027, Chops Lobster Bar will open on the ground floor of the Virgin Hotel, adding a signature dining experience. At The Mitchell residential community, Khao Thai Isan is set to open in 2026 and The Busy Bee Café in 2027. Zephyr, the Southern Brasserie at Hotel Phoenix, has recently opened within the district.

 

Shaul Kuba, co-founder and principal of CIM Group, said something extraordinary is taking shape in downtown Atlanta and noted that Virgin Hotels brings a level of excellence that complements the experiences developers are building for both travelers and the local community.

 

The Virgin Hotel will also include wellness and community-focused amenities, including the pool deck with cabanas, a seasonal exterior bar, and an adjacent event lawn.

Project team

The Centennial Yards development in downtown Atlanta is led by CIM Group through its master development entity Centennial Yards Company, in partnership with The Drew Company, which contributes hospitality and development expertise across key components of the project. The original master plan involved Foster + Partners and Perkins&Will, while Gensler and SHAPE contributed design work for later phases of the Entertainment District. Multiple contractors are delivering the project through a phased model across individual packages, rather than a single publicly named general contractor, reflecting the scale and complexity of the 50-acre redevelopment.

The Centennial Yards development in Atlanta reflects broader U.S. momentum in large-scale hospitality projects, alongside Cincinnati’s $540 million convention headquarters hotel tied to the Duke Energy Convention Center, which is also advancing toward development. While Atlanta’s project focuses on lifestyle and entertainment-driven hospitality within a mixed-use district, Cincinnati’s hotel centers on convention demand and business travel infrastructure.

Centennial Yards Development – Virgin Hotels Factsheet

• Project: Centennial Yards mixed-use redevelopment
• Location: Downtown Atlanta, Georgia
• Value: $5 billion
• Site: 50 acres

Announcement

Centennial Yards development is adding Virgin Hotels, a 261-room hotel scheduled to open in 2027, as part of its Entertainment District expansion.

The announcement was made by CIM Group, Centennial Yards Company, and The Drew Company.

Entertainment District

• 470,000 sq ft planned
• Uses: entertainment, dining, retail, hospitality
• Near Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena
• Tenants include Live Nation and Cosm

Virgin Hotels Atlanta

• 261 rooms
• “Chambers” room concept
• 21 Grand King Chambers + 21 One-Bedroom Suites
• Signature Penthouse Suite and “Richard’s Flat”

Amenities

• Pool deck with 10 cabanas
• Rooftop, lobby, and pool bars
• Restaurant and outdoor terrace spaces
• ~2,900 sq ft meeting space
• Chops Lobster Bar on ground floor

Developer

CIM Group is master developer through Centennial Yards Company, transforming former rail-adjacent land into a mixed-use urban district.

Pipeline (District)

• Cosm, Shake Shack, The Irish Exit (2026)
• Live Nation venue (2027)
• Additional hospitality and dining openings through 2026–2027