Transforming the Otto’s Apartment Hotel into pocket-size apartments was about more than just reviving a grand landmark. For developers Benjamin McLoughlin and Michael Graber, it was really about offering affordable living in the heart of the Poncey-Highland neighborhood.
“The one thing we both shared was that Atlanta was losing its culture,” McLoughlin said. “Ultimately, artists and creatives — they’re the culture of the city. If you price them out, what are you left with?”
Years ago, McLoughlin would drive by the building on North Highland Avenue and muse about buying the hotel, formerly known as the Highland Inn and Ballroom.
That dream became a reality in early 2021, when the two men acquired the hotel and neighboring retail space for $7.85 million through their real estate development firm, Canvas Companies.
Within three years, they had given the hotel a major face-lift, revamping the 112 rooms into 70 modern “microapartments.” Most of the hotel’s units are around 300 square feet, with the smallest units coming in at around 200.