Leadership of Visit Savannah, The Kessler Collection and the Georgia Municipal Association signed the first group contract for the forthcoming J.W. Marriott at Plant Riverside District on the sparkling Savannah, Georgia riverfront. Projected to open Q1 2019, the Kessler Collection property will encompass a five-building hotel/retail/entertainment complex to serve as the cornerstone for redevelopment of historic downtown Savannah’s west side.
 
Savannah native Richard Kessler, CEO & Chairman of The Kessler Collection, purchased Savannah’s former power plant in 2012 with plans to transform the site into a 4.5 star hotel and entertainment area. The plant was constructed in 1912 and generated electricity for the community for decades but has sat dormant since 2005. Kessler broke ground on the project and began the building’s rehabilitation in December of 2016.
 
Visit Savannah’s President Joseph Marinelli spoke about the impact the property will have on Savannah’s attractiveness to meeting planners and convention organizers.
 
“The addition of the new J.W. Marriott at Plant Riverside District will catapult the Savannah visitor experience to the next level. The folks at The Kessler Collection always present the most unique visitor experience and customer service, but the finished product will also have outdoor event space and over a dozen shops and food and beverage outlets as well. Meeting planning professionals are going to be very interested in this property and how it will complement Savannah’s overall convention and meetings package.”
 
According to Jeannie Green, corporate director of sales at The Kessler Collection, the group’s aim with this property is to create a special experience for visitors and convention attendees.
 
“We are very excited to be building our third property from The Kessler Collection portfolio in Savannah, and to be creating a one-of-a-kind entertainment district unmatched anywhere in the Southeast.”