Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide will introduce a new W Hotel to the Buckhead section of Atlanta, Georgia. The property is being developed by Noble Investment Group, a private equity fund and hospitality organization focused on the North American lodging sector. In a $100 million re-development, the W Atlanta-Buckhead will open the summer of 2008 in the Buckhead district where the Crowne Plaza hotel is currently located.

W Atlanta-Buckhead promises to be an irresistible destination for visitors to Atlanta, as well as for Atlanta residents who can escape the city and experience modern Southern hospitality, said Ross Klein, President of Starwood`s Luxury Brand Group. As one of the country`s 10 most affluent communities, Buckhead provides guests with a wealth of entertainment options, including world-class shopping and proximity to Atlanta`s most popular attractions, making it a perfect fit for the W brand.

We are excited to make yet another significant investment in Atlanta, our hometown and headquarters. Along with our $96 million W Atlanta-Midtown which will open in the spring of 2008, the W Atlanta-Buckhead will be a significant addition to a vibrant city that has been underserved by true stylistic, modern luxury hotels, said Mit Shah, CEO of Noble. This dramatic re-development of one of the most strategic and desirable real estate addresses in Buckhead will also provide us the opportunity to add approximately 350,000 square feet of W branded residences and ancillary amenities adjacent to the project at a later date.