InterContinental Hotels Group announced plans for multiple dual-branded hotel developments across the U.S., with the first of them to open in Atlanta this week.

　　InterContinental Hotels Group announced plans for multiple dual-branded hotel developments across the U.S., with the first of them to open in Atlanta this week. Owned by AWH Partners, LLC, and operated by Spire Hospitality, the Atlanta hotel will be franchised by an affiliate of IHG. Located in the hometown of IHG Americas corporate headquarters, the 501-room Hotel Melia will convert to a Crowne Plaza hotel and will immediately undergo a total renovation, ultimately creating a 360-room Crowne Plaza hotel. By January of 2016, the property will open within the same building a 102-room Staybridge Suites hotel. Other development plans for dual-branded IHG hotels include a Holiday Inn and Candlewood Suites hotel for Joliet, Ill., a Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites hotel for San Diego and an IHG-managed Hotel Indigo and Holiday Inn Express hotel for Austin, Texas.

　　"IHG's track record remains strong. We are well-placed to grow market share with a high-quality pipeline and through continued innovative guest offerings including dual-branded properties," said Kirk Kinsell, president, the Americas, IHG. "These hotels are ideal for urban and suburban destinations alike and we are excited that one is opening right here in Atlanta."

　　The dual-branded model allows for operating efficiencies yet doesn't compromise the distinct offerings guests have come to know and expect from each IHG brand. While they typically share the same building structure or services such as fitness centers, pools and food & beverage facilities, some back-of-the-house operations may also be shared or separate.

　　"Dual-branded hotels are attractive for our owners because they are able to achieve construction cost savings, through shared facilities such as meeting space, swimming pools, fitness facilities and back-of-house areas, as well as operational savings, through shared services," said Joel Eisemann, chief development officer, the Americas, IHG. "With a dual-branded property, our owners are able to cater to many different stay occasions in the same location while generating a more profitable bottom line."

　　In addition to the new dual-branded Crowne Plaza hotel and Staybridge Suites hotel in Atlanta, IHG has the following dual-branded properties in the pipeline:

　　Joliet, Illinois - A dual-branded new-build 120-room Holiday Inn hotel and 100-room Candlewood Suites hotel is expected to open by fall 2015 and will be developed by Hospitality Guru Group.

　　Austin, Texas – Being developed by JCI Companies and managed by IHG, a dual-branded new-build of a 134-room Hotel Indigo hotel and 171-room Holiday Inn Express hotel in downtown Austin is expected to open by year end 2016.

　　San Diego - A new-build 186-room Crowne Plaza hotel and 146-room Staybridge Suites hotel is expected to open by fall 2017 and is being developed by Vanderval Hotels.