MACON, GA – February 3, 2022 – Hotel Forty Five, the 94-room boutique hotel, has announced their opening for this Tuesday, February 1. Situated on the iconic 45-degree angle formed by Cherry and First Streets, and Cotton Avenue, across from the newly designed Rosa Parks Square, the hotel will be the first in Macon’s Historic Central Business District. The angled street was a city design ahead of its time that made transportation of cotton barges to and from the river possible. This emblematic wedge serves as the creative thoughtfulness behind the hotel’s name. Hotel Forty Five is a part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio and is owned and operated by Mainsail Lodging & Development with IDP Properties developing the project. Conveniently located across the street from the Macon City Auditorium, guests and locals alike can grab a bite or a drink before heading to a show of their choice.
“Macon is deeply rich in history, so being able to witness the revitalization while still holding true to its roots is pretty remarkable,” said Stephan Amesoeder, General Manager of Hotel Forty Five. “We look forward to being a positive addition to this already successful and notable community. Hotel Forty Five is proud to honor Macon’s rich history.”
Every corner of Hotel Forty Five will tell a story of the area’s historical significance with a bit of wit, dash of class, and a pop of color. Through engaging art, architecture, and hospitality, guests will navigate through the area’s illustrations past and learn about historical influences who made a difference in Macon. At each elevator lobby on guestroom floors, visitors will find artwork paying tribute to a “historical influencer” and their contribution to Macon’s storied past.
Key architectural elements, furnishings and finishes have been preserved and incorporated in various spaces throughout the hotel. Thoughtful preservation was spearheaded by Dunwody/Beeland, Architects, Inc, which boasts three generations of architects in the Dunwody family. W. Elliot Dunwody was the first architect of the building which was originally Banker’s Health & Life Insurance Company, originally founded by Parks Lee Hay, the namesake of Macon’s historic Hay House. With collaborative efforts from BRPH Interior Design, Hotel Forty Five will provide guests with a complementing contrast of a modern twist on southern history.
Attached to the lobby of the hotel, Loom celebrates the southern traditions of cooking by paying homage to locally sourced, artisanal ingredients whenever and wherever possible. To that end, their menus reflect the seasonal cycles of nature to underscore sustainability while inspiring new techniques throughout the year. Loom’s carefully crafted cuisine can be described as Southern Revival with equal parts of tradition and innovation. Loom will offer smoked chicken chowder (black-eyed peas, peppers, sweet potato, greens), pork belly carbonara (fresh angel hair pasta, crispy pork belly, parmesan, salt-cured egg yolk), a southern Cuban (country ham, fontina, pickles, dijon, smoked pork), caramelized banana pudding (spiced rum caramel sauce, toasted pecan cookie) and more. A nod to Macon’s roots in the textile industry, Loom is named to draw attention to the many stories that are weaved in the history of Macon. Loom features a historic mural of workers inside of a textile mill along with hand-glazed ivy green tiles and copper accents. The decision for the ivy green tiles and copper accents stem from the natural process of patina, the green layer that forms on copper over time due to corrosion. The hotel’s signature restaurant welcomes all to settle in for a meal inside their dining room or outdoors on the patio.
Executive Chef Steven Brockman is the driving force behind Loom and provides the creative direction for all menus. With close to 30 years of experience, Chef Brockman has worked closely with world-renowned chefs including Julia Child, Paul Bocuse and Jeremiah Tower.
Atop the sixth floor of the hotel, Hightales Rooftop Bar is a play on highball cocktails and the many larger than life tales of the city. Hightales will provide Macon natives and tourists alike with a whimsical experience. Drawing from Macon’s iconic music scene, cocktails have been named after famous songs from artists who hail from Macon. Small plates will include deviled eggs (lacquered peppered pork belly), shrimp ceviche (avocado, citrus, chilis), chicken chicharrones and more.
Hotel Forty Five will also come complete with Reckon Coffee & Wine Bar, an eclectic space bringing in elements of the city outside through its artistic displays within. In the morning, Reckon will offer a rotating seasonal menu with items such as challah French toast (maple syrup, berry compote, cinnamon-pecan butter), bacon breakfast skillet(scrambled eggs, home-fried potatoes, peppers, onions, bacon, cheddar), cast iron skillet frittata (farm eggs, spring garlic wilted spinach, early tomatoes, caramelized onions, feta) and more. During the evening, guests can enjoy a flatbread (black garlic, country ham, caramelized onions, arugula, Manchego), chimichurri steak (black-eyed pea and tomato salad), roasted corn & shrimp fritter and more. In the evening, guests are encouraged to mingle over a menu highlighted by curated wines.
“All three spaces showcase a different personality, yet stay connected with their southern background,” said Richard Hedden, Food & Beverage Manager of Hotel Forty Five. “We are excited to join Macon’s hospitality and vibrant downtown culinary scene with our chef-driven concepts.”
Hotel Forty Five is located at 401 Cotton Avenue. Loom is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and dinner daily from 5 – 9 p.m. Hightales is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 – 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Reckon Coffee & Wine Bar is open all week serving breakfast from 7 – 11 a.m., light lunch from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and the wine bar is open until 9 p.m. For more information please go to hotelfortyfive.com.
