A shift by CIM Group's Brian McGowan to add more hospitality to the Centennial Yards project in Atlanta just got a 19-story visual exclamation mark as the developer topped out the Hotel Phoenix at the $5 billion development.
McGowan, who serves as president of CIM's Centennial Yards Co., joined scores of construction workers recently to top out the hotel that will help anchor the Centennial Yards project adjacent to State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The hotel is scheduled to open later this year.
During the topping our ceremony, McGowan, pictured, and CIM's Atlanta team, construction crew and other partners marked the occasion with the ceremonial signing of the building's final beam. The group also placed a tree atop the building, a customary practice for topping out ceremonies.
The hotel expects to host guests who converge on Atlanta for the portion of the 2026 FIFA World scheduled to be played in the Georgia capital. While CIM is developing apartments and eventually plans to add offices at Centennial Yards, its focus now is on an 8-acre mixed-use entertainment district set for completion before the World Cup kicks off in June 2026.