The would-be developers of a proposed luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Lanier in West Hall are on the agenda for a Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board (GPAB) meeting next month. They are asking the city to amend an existing property zoned Planned Unit Development (P-U-D) to develop a luxury hotel resort and residential uses.
Capstone Property Group also hopes to break ground next month with an estimated completion by the end of 2027, according to documents on file with the city, which includes this narrative about what they have in mind and examples of other resort developments it would be patterned after:
“For over two years Capstone Property Group has been in the planning stages of developing a
luxury resort on Lake Lanier. This project is expected to attract thousands of people from across
the country every year. Comparables to this project include The Ritz-Carlton at Lake Oconee,
Salamander Resort in Middleburg, VA, Old Edwards Inn, and The Lodge at Sea Island. The
overall goal and expectation for this property is to achieve a Forbes rated, world recognized,
hotel, spa, and restaurant.
“The planned resort is located at 3070 SW Ivey Rd. Currently, the property is zoned PUD and is
approved for 540 condos, 60 single-family lots, tennis courts, pool, club house, health club,
rental lodging units, dry stack boat storage, marina, gas sales, restaurant, and a convenience
store. Capstone is seeking to amend the current PUD for uses outlined in this narrative. The
subject property is also currently approved for 42 boat slips.
“The focal point of the project will be a luxury hotel which will sit over 200 feet above Lake Lanier
and provide excellent views of the water. The hotel will consist of 177 guest room bays, 15,000
square feet of meeting space, numerous restaurant outlets, a luxury spa, a state of the art
fitness center, and an infinity pool. Once rezoning is approved, architects will begin drawing
which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Groundbreaking is expected to
commence in January of 2026. Opening of the resort is expected to take place towards the end
of 2027.
“The resort will also feature 7 lakeside cottages. These cottages are planned to be
completed at the same time as the hotel. There is the potential that the cottages will be built in
phases with some opening alongside the hotel and others being built in the future. There is also
the potential that the cottages will be built as a future development once the hotel has settled
(usually 3 years after opening). Lastly, there will be 14 duplex estate homes (28-units) that will
be a for sale product and offer owners the ability to place their unit in a rental program with the
resort. The estate homes are expected to be completed at the same time as the hotel but there
is the possibility they will be part of a future development once the hotel settles.
“The property is bound to the west by Ivey Rd, to the south by single-family homes within the
Cresswinds development, to the east by Corps of Engineers property, and to the north by Corps
of Engineers property.”
There’s much more about the plans here including several artist renderings and other visuals: Planning & Appeals Board Meeting • AGENDAS & MINUTES • CivicClerk
The planning board meets Jan. 13.