What’s new and what’s coming to downtown Macon? Check out Tour of Progress highlights

Becky Purser

A hotel representing a $39 million investment, more than 100 loft apartments, a literature-themed boutique hotel and rooftop bar, a new casual fine dining restaurant and several new small businesses all made this year’s Tour of Progress in downtown Macon.

NewTown Macon, a nonprofit, public-private partnership whose aim is downtown revitalization, offers a self-guided tour that highlights progress that’s been made. The tours replaced a PowerPoint report at annual meetings. Some of the projects are complete and others are in the works.

“It’s so much more fun to get people out and actually see, share and experience what’s happening in downtown Macon,” said Josh Rogers, NewTown Macon’s president and chief executive officer. “I just think it helps people to feel part of the progress.

NewTown Macon’s executive director and CEO Josh Rogers stands next to a rendering showing commercial space at the new Billingslea Commons.
NewTown Macon’s executive director and CEO Josh Rogers stands next to a rendering showing commercial space at the new Billingslea Commons.

“Everything that’s happening in downtown Macon, it’s local entrepreneurs and local developers. These are friends and neighbors doing new businesses and fixing buildings, and it’s a great chance to be able to see and celebrate their work.”

Maconite Jim Beall was among those who took the self-guided tour.

“I like to see what’s new and what’s changed, and the progress … made to our downtown,” he said.

Future home of Billingslea Commons located along the 800 block of Forsyth Street in downtown Macon.
Future home of Billingslea Commons located along the 800 block of Forsyth Street in downtown Macon.

Highlights

Billingsea Commons at 800-block Forsyth St. — A set of buildings along Forsyth Street that were constructed in 1900 are being transformed into six commercial storefronts and six one and two bedroom lofts on the upper floors.

The project is named after Albert Billingslea, a well-known contractor, entrepreneur, politician and civil rights leader, who owned the property for many decades, according to NewTown Macon’s Tour of Progress summary. One of the buildings was his office until his death in 2011.

“During segregation and the Jim Crow era, Cotton Avenue was the epicenter for thriving Black-owned businesses and this location was a premier location as it was anchored by three historic black churches: First Baptist, Steward Chapel and Tremont Temple,” the summary reads.

This rendering shows commercial space at the new Billingslea Commons in the 800 block of Forsyth St. in downtown Macon. Its buildings are under renovation.
This rendering shows commercial space at the new Billingslea Commons in the 800 block of Forsyth St. in downtown Macon. Its buildings are under renovation.

H&H Mural at 807 Forsyth St. — Artist Steven Teller worked 12-hour days in all kinds of weather over six weeks to paint this mural of H&H Soul Food’s original owners Inez Hill and Louise Hudson also affectionately known as “Mama Hill” and “Mama Louise.” The mural also features the Allman Brothers Band.

“Legend has it that Mama Louise fed the band before they became famous,” the summary reads. “The band had come to H&H one day and could only afford two plates to split between band members but Mama Louise fed them anyway.”

From a friendship forged over the years between the band and Mama Louise, she earned another affectionate title, “The Mother of Southern Rock.”

Mural on the side of H&H restaurant at 807 Forsyth St. in downtown Macon.
Mural on the side of H&H restaurant at 807 Forsyth St. in downtown Macon.

830 High at 830 High St. — This flexible work space is complete with a conference room, telephone booths and access to fresh coffee.

Owner and developer Wimberly Treadwell, a landscape architect professional, saw a need with less demand for brick-and-mortar offices for those working at home who’d prefer a collaborative environment, according to a Tour of Progress video featuring Treadwell.

There’s a month-to-month member’s fee to use the rehabilitated space that’s on the edge of the historic downtown district and within walking distance of downtown restaurants.

830 High is a new flexible work space is complete with a conference room, telephone booths and access to fresh coffee at 830 High St.
830 High is a new flexible work space is complete with a conference room, telephone booths and access to fresh coffee at 830 High St.

DT Walton Housing Complex at 743 Plum St. — This planned mixed-use, new construction project is expected to include about 100 new loft units, a new parking garage and retail space via a joint partnership between Macon-Bibb County and the Urban Development Authority.

Proposed design of the DT Walton Houston Complex at 743 Plum St. in downtown Macon but not necessarily the final project design.
Proposed design of the DT Walton Houston Complex at 743 Plum St. in downtown Macon but not necessarily the final project design.

Macon Rocks Climbing Gym at 527 DT Walton Sr. Way — Originally home of the administrative offices of Capricorn Records, these restored buildings now house a state-of-the art rock climbing and gym facility, thanks to co-owners and business partners Bryan Nichols and Kevin Reaves who desired to bring a family-friendly space to downtown Macon.

Macon Rocks operations manager John Hur climbs one of the bouldering walls prior to the opening of this family-friendly space in this Telegraph file photo.
Macon Rocks operations manager John Hur climbs one of the bouldering walls prior to the opening of this family-friendly space in this Telegraph file photo.

Sixth Ave. at 482 First St. — Sneaker aficionados Micheal Parades, Marquis Burns and Jarredd Helms opened their first storefront earlier this year to offer their top-of-the-line sneakers and vintage and limited edition apparel.

The shoe shelf at Sixth Ave at 482 First St. in downtown Macon.
The shoe shelf at Sixth Ave at 482 First St. in downtown Macon.

Pearl Passionate Cuisine and Cocktails at 470 First St. — This European-style bistro that also opened earlier this year offers casual fine dining. Owner and head chef Ashley Doolin strives to incorporate flavors from all over the world from North Africa to the Caribbean to Italy. She and her husband, Tony, also own and operate The Monkey’s Paw, a tiki bar above Downtown Grill.

Pearl Passionate Cuisine & Cocktails located at 470 First St. in downtown Macon.
Pearl Passionate Cuisine & Cocktails located at 470 First St. in downtown Macon.

Macon City Auditorium at 415 First St. — Built in 1925 and known for its copper dome, this downtown gem is undergoing a two-phase renovation.

The first phase included remodeling the dome, acoustic improvements, a new cat walk, added theatrical lighting and equipment and renovation of the downstairs lobby and restrooms, according to the summary.

Phase 1 of renovations of the Macon City Auditorium were completed recently and included a new catwalk and remodeling the dome.
Phase 1 of renovations of the Macon City Auditorium were completed recently and included a new catwalk and remodeling the dome.

Otis Redding Center for the Arts at 436 Cotton Ave. — Plans for this 15,000-square-foot site include a two-story center and an outdoor amphitheater for the Otis Redding Foundation’s youth educational programs and the arts.

The center will include art lab spaces, practice rooms and studio space for students to explore songwriting, production and performance while the outside amphitheater will serve as a venue for student performances.

Nearby is the Otis Redding Foundation and Museum at 339 Cotton Ave.

Future home of the Otis Redding Center for the Arts at 436 Cotton Ave.
Future home of the Otis Redding Center for the Arts at 436 Cotton Ave.

Hotel Forty Five at 401 Cotton Ave. — This 94-room boutique hotel with a rooftop bar, full service restaurant and a coffee shop opened earlier this year, representing a $39 million investment and the largest single investment in downtown Macon in a decade, according to the summary.

IDP Properties and Mainsail Development worked with architect Gene Dunwoody, grandson of the original architect, to retain historic details of the former Willie C. Annex building — including its golden brick interior, original terrazzo floors on the first and second levels and the marble first floor.

This Marriott Tribute Portfolio full service upscale hotel is the first hotel to be built in downtown Macon in decades, according to the summary.

Hightales Rooftop Bar at Hotel Forty Five at 401 Cotton Ave. in downtown Macon.
Hightales Rooftop Bar at Hotel Forty Five at 401 Cotton Ave. in downtown Macon.

Lilac Lash Lounge at 373 Cotton Ave. — The latest addition to beauty and hair care businesses on Cotton Avenue offers high-quality lash extensions, lash lift and tints, brow lamination and facial waxing. The business is near Olde World Barber Shoppe and Kaviar Beauty Bar.

Lilac Lash Lounge at 373 Cotton Ave.
Lilac Lash Lounge at 373 Cotton Ave.

Anna Bella Riches at 321 Cotton Ave. — This party accessories store also offers party planning for all sorts of celebrations from birthdays and baby showers to homecoming, prom and graduation.

Anna Bella Riches at 321 Cotton Ave.
Anna Bella Riches at 321 Cotton Ave.

Washington Lofts at 588 Mulberry St. — A dozen lofts, restaurant space and a new live-work space are all a part of the current renovation of the historic Washington Block building.

Each 700-square-foot efficiency loft will include a full bathroom and kitchen.

The Washington Block was built around 1857 on the site of the former Washington Hall Hotel, which was destroyed by a fire in 1855.

Washington Lofts at 588 Mulberry St.
Washington Lofts at 588 Mulberry St.

The Woodward Hotel at 350 Second St. —This literature-inspired, locally owned hotel features nine unique rooms with beautiful views of downtown Macon.

The namesake of the hotel is the late Benjamin Woodward Griffith Jr., a celebrated English professor at Mercer University and West Georgia College and grandfather of hotel proprietor and Moonhanger group owner Wes Griffith. The hotel is also home to Quill, a new craft cocktail bar off Mulberry Street Lane.

Moonhanger Group partnered with NewTown Macon to develop this property.

This new nine room boutique hotel at the corner of Second Street and Mulberry Street Lane opened this year historic downtown Macon. The hotel is also home to Quill, a new craft cocktail bar off Mulberry Street Lane.
This new nine room boutique hotel at the corner of Second Street and Mulberry Street Lane opened this year historic downtown Macon. The hotel is also home to Quill, a new craft cocktail bar off Mulberry Street Lane.

Cotton Avenue Plaza — After the relocation of Confederate monuments in downtown Macon in June, including one at the corner of Second Street and Cotton Avenue, this space is now expected to be redeveloped as a pedestrian plaza that will include closing off the nearby section of Cotton Avenue and making it one way down Cotton Ave., says Alex Morrison, Macon-Bibb Urban Development Authority executive director, in a Tour of Progress video.

After the relocation of a Confederate monument in June, this space at the corner of Cotton Avenue and Second Street is expected to be redeveloped as a pedestrian plaza
After the relocation of a Confederate monument in June, this space at the corner of Cotton Avenue and Second Street is expected to be redeveloped as a pedestrian plaza

“We have the good fortune that there are more good things going on in downtown each year than we can highlight in a tour,” Rogers said. “And so a lot of times is we try and pick a theme or we try and pick the most prominent projects and then we assemble a walking tour that’s easy for people to do over a short distance.”

This year’s Tour of Progress focused on Cotton Avenue, which is anchored by the new Hotel Forty Five.

“Sometimes we have to go back a few years to catch up on some of the things that we’ve missed just to make it an easy walking tour,” Rogers said.

Josh Rogers, president and CEO of NewTown Macon, talks about the 2022 Tour of Progress while tour participants take a look at the Billingslea Commons development in the 800 block of Forsyth St. in downtown Macon.
Josh Rogers, president and CEO of NewTown Macon, talks about the 2022 Tour of Progress while tour participants take a look at the Billingslea Commons development in the 800 block of Forsyth St. in downtown Macon.
830 High Street, a co-working space at 830 High St.
830 High Street, a co-working space at 830 High St.
Phase 1 of renovations of the Macon City Auditorium were completed recently and restroom renovations.
Phase 1 of renovations of the Macon City Auditorium were completed recently and restroom renovations.
Crews lower the Confederate monument on Cotton Avenue while removing it in this Telegraph file photo. The monument was relocated to Whittle Park in from of Rose Hill Cemetery. The Cotton Avenue space is now expected to be developed as a pedestrian plaza.
Crews lower the Confederate monument on Cotton Avenue while removing it in this Telegraph file photo. The monument was relocated to Whittle Park in from of Rose Hill Cemetery. The Cotton Avenue space is now expected to be developed as a pedestrian plaza.

Advertisement