Avalon hotel, conference center to start in Alpharetta

A groundbreaking is set for Tuesday for the Hotel at Avalon and Alpharetta Conference Center, a $112 million project to open in January 2018 as part of the Avalon mixed-use development at Ga. 400 and Old Milton Parkway.

The 330-room luxury hotel will be a Marriott International Autograph Collection property, Alpharetta officials said. It will offer a restaurant, 24-hour fitness center, and pool with outdoor catering space, Club Avalon Concierge and valet service.

The 65,000-square-foot conference center will have a 12,500-square-foot exhibit hall, 10,000-square-foot ballroom, meeting rooms and other amenities.

The project is a public-private partnership of Alpharetta, Stormont Hospitality Group, North American Properties and Long Wharf Real Estate Partners. Last summer, the city increased its hotel-motel tax to 8 cents per dollar cover the issuance of $24.9 million in revenue bonds, its share of the project’s cost.