September 21, 2012 - RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC - RTP’s The Generation Companies, LLC (Generation), a real estate developer, owner, receiver, asset manager and operator of extended-stay and select- service hotels, recently topped out their Augusta, Georgia Home2 Suites by Hilton. The top-out ceremony, celebrating the completion of all external construction of the hotel, was Wednesday, September 5 at the property, located at Walton Way Extension and  Exchange Lane.

The celebration opened with a welcome by William Smith, Managing Director, Real Estate & Construction, The Generation Companies, and included remarks by Generation President H. Mark Daley III and Hilton Vice-President and Managing Director of Franchise Development Steve Crabill.  Also in attendance were area business representatives; city dignitaries; Phil Brigham, Client Manager, Savannah River Banking Company; Neil Luton, President, Tri Construction Associates, Inc.; Brian Smith, Vice President, Tri Construction Associates, Inc.; Gary Finnell--Senior Director, Franchise Development, Hilton Worldwide; Jeff Castleberry, Director Acquisitions, The Generation Companies; Philip R. Wahl II, Augusta Market President, Savannah River Banking Company; Paul S. Simon, Chairman, Savannah River Banking Company; Tom Ritter, President, Ritter Architecture; Steve Collins , Blanchard & Calhoun Commercial; David J. Hogg, Director of Business Development, Savannah River Banking Company; David Rivers, Blanchard & Calhoun Commercial; David D. Banks, Engineer, Southern Partners, Inc. and Jeff P. Spears, President, Savannah River Banking Company. The next step in the building process is the interior construction. The  property is slated to open in March, 2013.

“All of us at The Generation Companies are excited to be bringing the most progressive product concept in extended-stay lodging to the greater Augusta area ,” said Generation President, H. Mark Daley, III. “Add to that our award-winning hotel operations team and the product-service combination is going to make a lot of visitors to the Augusta market, whether leisure or corporate, quite pleased. And having this hotel open in time for the 2013 Masters is going to be great.”

"After receiving our building permit on June 22, we completed the topping out in just 54 days, despite extensive rain,”said William Smith, Managing Director, Real Estate & Construction at Generation. “At this pace, the building should  be completed and receive the certificate of occupancy in slightly over seven months.  It takes an extensive amount of planning and coordination to develop and construct this quickly and still deliver a superior product that will meet or exceed all building codes and Hilton standards. The hotel is at the intersection of I-520 and I-20 on a hill overlooking the Augusta Exchange, an 87-acre regional power center with extensive shopping and restaurant facilities. The Augusta mall is one-quarter of a mile away and the Augusta National Golf Course is just three miles away.”

The 123-suite, four-story, upper mid-tier hotel brand brings a hip and humble design to its target audience: the savvy and sophisticated yet value-conscious extended-stay guest. Generation is the developer for the project, handling the site identification and acquisition, design, entitlements, construction, purchasing and opening of the hotel. With 10 open, 10 under construction and 51 more planned, Home2 is the fastest growing brand in Hilton Worldwide history. The hotel is owned by Generation Suites of Augusta, LLC and will be managed by The Generation Companies.

Guests of the new property will enjoy attractive suites outfitted with 42" flat screen televisions, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and comfortable, flexible living space that can be customized for eating, working or relaxing. Guest amenities will include the Home2 Market for grab-and-go convenience foods and products, a combined laundry and fitness area, a 24-hour business center with complimentary wireless printing, exterior pool and grilling area and expansive outdoor community spaces including a putting green. The hotel will utilize environmentally-friendly products and practices, including recycling bins throughout the property and bulk-purchased guest room supplies. To learn more about the hotel, go to www.generationcompanies.com or www.news.home2suites.com.