When the Holiday Inn opened in 1960 at 506 Hwy. 45 N., it was Columbus’ first big chain hotel and one of the few places for out-of-town visitors to stay.
However, over the years, the popularity of the hotel that became the Columbus Inn and Suites waned as different owners took control of the site, according to several sources that spoke with The Dispatch.
Today, after changing hands six times, the new owner, Chris Clabby, CEO of Atlanta-based PGV Capital, is investing more than $3.5 million to complete a full remodel of Columbus Inn and Suites and turn it into an extended stay hotel, My Home at Columbus.
“The project is almost finished,” Clabby said. “What we saw here was a strong workforce to work with (as hotel patrons). For us, really, it was the Golden Triangle and the industrial park and the quality of the companies there. We knew that converting this property to an extended stay would allow us to be able to easily fill this up.”
Clabby told The Dispatch Thursday he and his partners purchased the Columbus Inn and Suites from the previous owner, Shreenathji Inc., in November 2022 for $1.5 million and began renovating the 96-room hotel just a few months later. He hopes to fully reopen under the new name in January.
So far, Clabby said the hotel interior is about 90% finished with new paint, carpeting, furniture, a stovetop, a full-sized refrigerator and renovated bathroom in each guest room.
Clabby added that the project has taken longer than he expected due to the need for new electrical wiring throughout the building, demolishing the former restaurant, banquet hall and pool, as well as building a new laundry room to accommodate long-stay guests.
The restaurant and banquet hall would cost too much to repair, Clabby said, and he isn’t interested in having a restaurant or bar as part of the development.
“The rooms are all done, and it’s just finishing touches now,” Clabby said. “We’re waiting for a punch list of stuff like mattresses, furniture, new electrical fixtures. Some rooms are missing lighting or nightstands and sometimes a toilet too.”
Clabby said demolition work at the property represents part of the project’s final phase and hopes to convert that area into a shared space for customers and additional parking.
“It will be a big combination of that after demolition is through,” Clabby said. “It’s winter time, so we’ll probably address more of the landscaping issues for that space in the spring.”
The hotel over the years
Manager Angela Sherrod began working at the hotel while it was still a Holiday Inn in 1989, starting as a room attendant.
Over the years, Sherrod said many visitors enjoyed its rooms, the Courtyard restaurant and bar, and its banquet hall that hosted weddings, proms and other events.
“It was just a really nice place to work, and many people seemed to enjoy the hotel,” Sherrod said.
“Since we bought the property, I’ve spoken with several people in Columbus who shared how they had their proms here or shared memories of the hotel,” Clabby added.
The hotel was first sold to Possum Town Inn Inc. in 1979 and then to Columbus Hotel Partners Inc. in 1983, which owned the hotel as the Holiday Inn until 2000.
The hotel was renamed Ramada Inn in 2001 under Ramada Inn of Columbus Inc. before being sold to Golden Triangle Hospitality in 2003 and renamed Master Hosts Inn a few years later. In 2010, the hotel was purchased again by Shreenathji Inc. and named Columbus Inn and Suites.
“I don’t want to say anything negative about the hotel, but the owners didn’t put a lot of work into it,” Sherrod said. “I’m just happy that the hotel is changing (now).”
Economic impact
Clabby said the renovation will also benefit local businesses with hotel customers staying closer to downtown and allow for a short walk to restaurants, bars and shopping.
“We’ll be able to drive revenue to the city,” he said. “In terms of tax dollar (generation), people staying here will be frequenting going to restaurants and retail stores in the area.”
Columbus Redevelopment Authority President Marthalie Porter said the hotel renovation could also aid CRA’s efforts to attract suitors for the Burns Bottom Redevelopment project, located just across the street in a five-block area near the Roger Short Soccer Complex — between Third and Fourth streets and Second and Seventh avenues north. The authority has purchased more than 70 lots in the project area for potential mixed-use redevelopment.
“We really didn’t get into big talks with developers before the hotel was being renovated,” Porter said. “We feel like the renovation of the hotel will certainly be another very positive note to help sell our project, as well as help them too. It will be very important to our project if there is a place for construction crews coming from out of town to stay. You can’t get much closer than just a few blocks away.”
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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