SAVANNAH, GA. — The Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority and global hotelier Hilton (NYSE: HLT) have broken ground on Signia by Hilton Savannah, a 444-room hotel situated adjacent to the Savannah Convention Center.
The $398 million hotel project is expected to debut in mid-2028 and serve as the headquarters hotel of the 666,000-square-foot convention center, which underwent a $276 million expansion project that wrapped up in February.
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports that the hotel project was “15 years and three false starts” in the making. The riverfront hotel will sit on Hutchinson Island across the Savannah River from the city’s historic district. The AJC also reports that the 403-room Westin Savannah Harbor is currently the only hotel within walking distance of the convention center.
The Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority owns the hotel and is developing the project in partnership with the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, an Atlanta-based entity that also manages the Savannah Convention Center. The Georgia World Congress Center Authority recently collaborated with Hilton on the development of Signia by Hilton Atlanta, a 976-room hotel tower situated near the convention center, as well as State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.
“Signia by Hilton Savannah’s signing and groundbreaking represents an integral milestone as we continue to expand our presence across Georgia, where Hilton currently welcomes travelers at approximately 270 hotels,” says Amy King, vice president of luxury and mixed-use development at Hilton. “We are honored to partner with Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority to introduce the city’s first Signia property in the heart of Low Country and contribute to the city’s continued tourism growth.”
The Signia by Hilton Savannah will offer access to the city’s fleet of new hybrid waterjet ferries that will transport convention center attendees back and forth across the Savannah River. The property will feature tech-enabled conference and meeting facilities, a grand lobby, chef-driven restaurant, rooftop bar, grab-and-go market, fitness center, a suite of wellness amenities and rooms furnished with high-end finishes and smart technology.
Hilton operates 24 hospitality brands comprising more than 8,800 properties and nearly 1.3 million rooms across 139 countries and territories. The hotel giant is also underway on two more Signia-branded hotels: the Signia by Hilton Amman in Jordan and Signia by Hilton Indianapolis, which will open next year.
Hilton’s stock price closed on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at $260.06 per share, up from $236.98 a year ago, a nearly 10 percent increase.
— John Nelson