Georgia State University will soon begin a transformational project. Most of the $107 million needed for the project will come from an $80 million gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation.

Development of the Hurt Park area includes removal of Georgia State’s Sparks Hall to integrate the existing campus Greenway into a district that crosses Gilmer Street and connects to Hurt Park. The Greenway will include an elevated plaza, enhanced walkways and a vegetated buffer along Courtland Street.

On the north end of Hurt Park, the 100 Edgewood building will get a dining area and gathering space. Renovations to the first four floors of the building will provide up-to-date classroom space and interconnecting stairways.

The Arts and Humanities Building, overlooking the newly activated outdoor hub, will get a new, more contemporary façade.

At Woodruff Park, new sidewalks, a realigned streetcar platform, façade improvements to the 25 Park Place building and plaza, and other pedestrian-oriented features will provide a connection to Broad Street and the Aderhold Learning Center.

The developers behind the Empire Hotel are embarking on a $25 million remake of the building. The project calls for redeveloping 100,000 square feet at 228 S. Main St. Upon full buildout, the project will include 38 residences, a 35-room boutique hotel and possibly a steakhouse. Iron Horse Development is heading up the project in Salisbury, 20 miles north of Charlotte.

The Charlotte Business Journal reports the first phase of the project will be named Empire Row, which includes two row homes and seven full-floor lofts. The residences will be for rent and then sold after five years. The project will be built in three phases.

The Empire Hotel opened in 1859 and was remodeled in 1907. The hotel was then permanently closed in 1963.

Iron Horse Development says it focuses on historic buildings and the acquisition, entitlement, design and development of small—to medium-sized multifamily projects with 2 to 50 units.