Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville brand is continuing its push into urban centers with a tower in downtown Atlanta that’s managed to top out despite years of tropical-force turbulence.

Before the 22-story venture by Wyndham Destinations and Margaritaville Vacation Club could break ground, historic preservationists, a handful of city leaders, and thousands of Atlanta petitioners rallied against construction to save a small, century-old structure at 152 Nassau Street, where country music’s first hit song is widely believed to have been cut in a former recording studio.

A legal saga to save “the birthplace of country music” lasted two years and became national news (Rolling Stone covered it in 2019). Ultimately, however, backhoes moved in and wasted away the two-story structure in January last year, clearing the site for a Margaritaville Vacation Club concept that developers have said will be filled with timeshare units. 

How the topped-out building relates to Centennial Olympic Park, which remains closed.
Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Construction on Atlanta’s sky-high Parrothead habitat continued as COVID-19 slammed the brakes on the nation’s economy—and as downtown clashes between police and Black Lives Matter protestors erupted near the tower’s base last summer.

In recent weeks, the building has topped out, lording over downtown landmarks such as the SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel, Centennial Olympic Park (still closed for now), and the storied Tabernacle music venue.  

We checked in with Margaritaville for an update on when the venture might open, what prices might be, and other details. A spokesperson said updates should be available “in the coming weeks.”

According to promotional materials, the building will offer 200 suites for Margaritaville Vacation Club and Club Wyndham owners, ranging from studios to three-bedroom “Presidential options.”

In downtown Atlanta, an early rendering of Margaritaville's 22nd-floor hangout and pool.
Club Wyndham

Amenities are expected to include a 22nd-floor rooftop pool and bar hangout. Two floors of planned retail would feature a Margaritaville restaurant spanning more than 14,000 square feet.

Developers have previously said the Atlanta Margaritaville resort will open this year.

The project's status in mid-January.
Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Elsewhere, Margaritaville debuted its city hotel concept in Nashville in late 2019. And in New York City’s Time Square, a 234-room resort is expected to open with 29 stories of island vibes this spring.  

Find more images and intel on Atlanta's project in the gallery above. 

• Downtown (Urbanize Atlanta) 

• Will Centennial Olympic Park reopen anytime soon? (Urbanize Atlanta)