Residences at ATL would be in hotel located in the western edge of main terminal (Image: Hartsfield-Jackson)
Yes indeed. Hotel-style “residences,” which are a huge trend in the hotel industry, could be part of a new “airport city” at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport according to a report on AJC.com.
AJC reports that the airport’s general manager says that a proposed mixed-use development adjacent the to airport’s main terminal will likely include a hotel, office space, a gas station and retail, adding that residential development is “not off the table.” These condos or apartments could be available in as soon as three years.
Could you imagine living that close to an airport? Having the front door of your condo building connected to the entrance to the airport? Looking out the window at a control tower and jets taking off? Would this be a good thing… or bad thing?
Breakfast at home overlooking the runways? (Photo: Miami International Airport Hotel)
If you lived in a condo at Atlanta Airport, you would also have MARTA at your front door, which means that you could actually have a life off the frequent flyer track.
If the condo-at-the-airport concept works in Atlanta, it could easily spread to other airports. One great candidate for a condo makeover would be the ailing Miami International Airport Hotel— which is located literally on top of the main terminals.
There’s the big Hilton at O’Hare and the Hyatt at Dallas Ft Worth– both could include condos as well. At London-Heathrow, there’s a Sofitel and a Hilton that are both connected to the airport.
The view from my room at the brand new Hyatt Seoul Incheon (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
When I was recently in Seoul, I stayed at the brand new Grand Hyatt Incheon, which is part of a mixed use development– really a small city sprouting up at the entrance to Incheon Airport that already includes a hospital, the INHA International Medical Center, as well as several apartment buildings.
This Crown Plaza’s front door opens into airport terminal at Singapore Changi Airport (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
In Singapore, there’s a Crowne Plaza hotel inside the terminal that could include condos. And then there’s that gorgeous 5-star Fairmont inside Vancouver International.
Up an escalator from Vancouver’s airport terminal to the Fairmont (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
Where else could we see residences on airport grounds? I know that many TravelSkills readers figuratively state that they feel like they “live” at the airport. But would you ever consider actually moving in and really living there? Please leave your comments below.
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SEW says
March 21, 2015 at 5:26 pmAs an Atlanta based business traveler I am thankful I live adjacent to a MARTA train stop — it’s a direct shot to the airport. It’s reliable and I admire how clean the trains are compared to when I lived and traveled out of Philly. Yes, there are the occasional crazies on the train, but it’s not any different than other cities. In my 15 years living and traveling out of ATL I’ve never felt unsafe or compelled to drive to the airport due to my experiences on the MARTA train.
Dellmensingen says
March 17, 2015 at 1:25 pm“Anything that gets you from point a to point b is ‘top notch’.” I beg to differ. For example, a beat-up bus, built to hold 50, but carrying 150 in India can get you from point a to point b. However, I wouldn’t call that “top notch”. “Top notch” subways are those in Tokyo, London, Munich, etc. MARTA may be “quick” and “reliable”, but it certainly is not safe or pleasant. It smells like homeless people and is full of thugs and crazy people. I’d rather drive to and from the airport and not have to deal with the hassle.
Salvatore Johnson says
March 17, 2015 at 1:10 pmAnything that gets you from point a to point b is “top notch”. MARTA is the same as Metro in D.C., the subway in New York and bart in San Francisco. It’s quick, reliable transportation.
As for downtown Atlanta, there are some OK spots. Sorry I guess for you should of written that “Buckhead” is accessable in 30 minutes.
Dellmensingen says
March 15, 2015 at 5:37 am“Top notch train”??!! Have you ridden MARTA to downtown? Such a scenic route, NOT! Are you confusing ATL with another city? And why would anyone want to go to downtown Atlanta? Do you enjoy viewing urban blight, graffiti, filthy panhandlers, bums, thugs, crime, etc.?
Salvatore Johnson says
March 13, 2015 at 6:16 pmIf I traveled a lot I would probably consider it. Especially in a city like Atlanta that has a top-notch train right on your door step which would make downtown Atlanta accessable in ten minutes.
Now if I had kids I wouldn’t want to do that, be a bit unfair for them, but if I had the type of job that I had to travel a lot and my wife didn’t mind think it be great.
TL says
March 13, 2015 at 8:34 amI was snow bound once in Chicago and stayed at the hotel at O’Hare. I did not get much sleep when the airport reopen that night plans every hour taking off to clear the backlog. They better have good insulation from the noise.
RD says
March 13, 2015 at 7:57 amWhy did they not build the new international terminal there and combine it with a new domestic terminal?
Dellmensingen says
March 13, 2015 at 7:56 amChris, you used to live in ATL, right? I’d be willing to bet you lived in Buckhead, Midtown or maybe Alpharetta. Would you like to live in College Park? You’d be like a prisoner, you couldn’t leave the development for fear of being a crime victim. I’d also be willing to bet that you made sure you had plenty of gas when you drove to the airport, so you wouldn’t have to fill up your tank in that area.
JD says
March 13, 2015 at 7:09 amGreat article. Would be interesting for sure. If parking was included, that would cut down on parking costs. On the other hand, having guests over could be a bit cumbersome if they had to pay airport parking fees. Great views though. I think apartments would be more practical as many would be hesitant to invest by buying a condo that may or may not go up in value due to the location, and that could have issues such as parking, etc..