Another downtown Decatur hotel concept that would tap into existing parking instead of building more space for vehicles is moving through the DeKalb County city’s development pipeline. 

The Decatur Planning Commission on Monday approved plans for a reduced-parking AC Hotels by Marriott building that would replace a low-rise structure at 701 Church St., about two blocks north of Decatur Square. 

The project’s architect, BCA Studios, is the same firm behind a dual-branded Hilton concept that came to light two years ago on the opposite side of downtown Decatur. That Tempo/Homewood Suites proposal at 213 Swanton Way calls for using valet and parking spaces in underused garages nearby, creating no additional parking facilities. 

According to city commission filings made by developers Dream Capital Management and Five Star Group, the AC Hotels project would replace a one-story building on Church Street most recently home to Decatur Strength and Conditioning, a gym that has closed. 

Overview of the 701 Church St. property in the context of downtown Decatur. Google Maps

Planned AC Decatur hotel frontage at 701 Church St. BCA Studios architects, via City of Decatur Planning Commission filing

The AC Hotels concept calls for a six-story, 81,000-square-foot building with 144 rooms and a restaurant with a terrace on the top floor. The hotel’s lobby and front desk would also be situated on the sixth floor, per filings. 

Interestingly, the hotel's site plan calls for just 10 parking spaces on site. 

Developers requested a special exception to the downtown district’s standard to increase allowable off-site parking from 80 percent to 92 percent. The site requires at least 108 parking spaces, per city commission filings. 

Anish Govan, founder and CEO of the development group, recently wrote to commissioners that negotiations are ongoing with parking deck owners at 1037 Commerce Drive and 755 Commerce Drive to secure 100 parking spaces that will be served by valet once the hotel opens. 

“We will finalize our commitment with the location that provides the best combination of operational efficiency and safety,” Govan noted in city filings. “The valet operation will be managed by a reputable operator.”

BCA Studios architects, via City of Decatur Planning Commission filing

Looking south toward Decatur Square, the former fitness center on the Church Street site, as seen in 2024. Google Maps

We’ve reached out to Hilton this week for information on where the dual-concept hotel proposal stands but had not heard back as of press time. A source tells Urbanize Atlanta that project isn’t shelved and could be angling to break ground early in 2026. 

In the gallery above, find more context and available imagery for the AC Hotels proposal. 

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