A prominent silhouette on the Atlanta skyline, The Westin Peachtree Plaza is celebrating 40 years as the city’s quintessential destination hotel for business and leisure travelers. The John Portman-designed, AAA Four Diamond hotel officially opened on February 27, 1976 and will celebrate the anniversary throughout 2016 introducing special incentives, launching new wellness programs and hosting a variety of gatherings.

As Atlanta has grown from a sleepy Southern city to a thriving urban hub, The Westin Peachtree Plaza, too, is ever-evolving to meet the needs of travelers. In 2014, the hotel underwent a $70 million renovation, impacting every interior element from the redesigned lobby and all 1,073 guest rooms and suites to redefining the meeting experience for planners and meeting attendees. Everything from the RunWESTIN™ fitness program, special fitness guest rooms, energizing SuperFoodsRx dishes and unique teambuilding events to the inviting, modern design and relaxing, Heavenly® amenities serves to improve the wellbeing of business and leisure visitors.

“Celebrating 40 years marks a key milestone in the hotel’s history and the story of Atlanta,” said Ron Tarson, general manager of The Westin Peachtree Plaza. “Over the years, the hotel has been home away from home to numerous celebrity guests including Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr, James Brown, Andy Rooney, Peter Jennings, and millions of memories have been made at the revolving Sun Dial restaurant. We’re honored to be an integral part of Atlanta’s dynamic story and look forward to continuing to grow with our community.”

Retrospective Milestones – The Westin Peachtree Plaza Ahead of the Curve

In 1976, The Westin Peachtree Plaza climbed 754 feet out of a concrete jungle with a cutting-edge cylindrical design and floor-to-ceiling windows that reflect the heart of the city to this day. At the time of the grand opening, the hotel was revered as the tallest hotel in the world. Records have come and gone, but the mid-century modern hotel continues to influence as the tallest hotel in the Southeast and is known for its polished style, extensive amenities and superior service.

Throughout the past four decades, The Westin Peachtree Plaza has cornered the leisure and business traveler market in the downtown area and continues a driving commitment to lead the meeting industry. By launching several distinctive enhancements over the years, including the “I Climbed the Peach” teambuilding challenge and Tangent™ at Westin, the hotel continues to bring meetings into the future and give planners a holistic experience with 200,000 gross square feet of meeting space, including 53 recently renovated meeting rooms and Building 1 of AmericasMart, which is conveniently connected to the hotel.

Always committed to sustainability, The Westin Peachtree Plaza is the largest convention hotel in the Southeast to be promoted to a Green Seal™ Certified-Silver Level Hotel. Proud of this ranking, last year the hotel launched the Green Tour, an on-site specialty event for meeting attendees providing a behind-the-scenes look at the sustainability, conservation and environmental efficiency efforts at the hotel.

Forty Full Circle – The Sun Dial

The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View, uniquely positioned 72 stories atop The Westin Peachtree Plaza, is also turning 40 this year. Known for its storied reputation of excellent hospitality and refined fare, The Sun Dial transformed after an extensive renovation in 2013, showcasing chef-driven, farm-to-table seasonal menus and a refreshed mid-century modern design.

As Atlanta’s only tri-level dining complex with a revolving upscale restaurant, a rotating bar and an observatory view level, The Sun Dial has provided locals and visitors with a 360-degree panoramic view of the Atlanta skyline for four decades.

The Fortieth Year – Celebration Specials

Forty years since the original grand opening, The Westin Peachtree Plaza continues to provide progressive experiences for both business and leisure travelers. This year, the hotel plans to launch Bike Concierge, a program designed for guests to cycle around the sites of downtown Atlanta.

Several retro-style offers are in place to mark the occasion. The Sun Dial will pay homage to the classic 1970’s menu with dishes and desserts that complement the decade. “Turn 40 With Us” is a special room rate for everyone born in 1976 and begins on February 27. In addition, the hotel will offer intermittent 40 percent sales throughout the year.

“In many ways, this feels like our fortieth birthday party,” Tarson said. “And we’re ready to celebrate.”