LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A Dacula resident has big plans for land in Gwinnett County that sits between the Mall of Georgia and the Gwinnett Braves baseball stadium on Buford Drive.
Richard Beaton heads up Escapades International, Inc. and wants to build a $115 million, 23-story, futuristic, ferris-wheel shaped hotel. He’s under contract for a 421 acre plot next to Interstate 85 and says the proposed “Radisson Blu Hotel” would serve as a beacon for tourists who would see the memorable architecture coming and going through the state.
“We wanted something that would attract people. This would be iconic for Gwinnett County,” said Beaton.
Beaton says he has investors lined up along with the folks behind Radisson hotels. He got the idea from a similar structure he’s seen in Frankfurt, Germany.
Beaton’s architect, Jim Culpepper of CMMI, Inc., designed both the exterior and one of a kind interior.
“It will be spectacular. There will be a two story aquarium from the first floor into the lobby. The bar will also feature a wine tower,” said Culpepper.
The hotel is just part of the overall $250 million dollar project.
Beaton also plans to add an $8 million, Mardi Gras style restaurant along Buford Drive. It will have space for 800 guests, a 250-seat banquet room and a full size riverboat with a working paddle wheel.
Members of the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau have seen the plans and some say it would bring big money and visitors to the area.
The hotel and restaurant could also generate as many as 1000 jobs, according to Beaton.
The project has yet to be presented to Gwinnett County’s Planning and Development Department. While the property is zoned as one of the so called “high rise areas’ Beaton will need to get a permit to allow the additonal 8 floors he wants.
From www.11alive.com
