The Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy — Photo by Woodbine Development Corporation

Woodbine Development Corporation (Woodbine) and IMG Academy (IMG) broke ground on a 150-room upscale boutique hotel on the northern edge of IMG"s 500-plus-acre campus. The five-story hotel—which will be known as The Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy—will serve guests and clients of the world-class training facility, including visiting teams, coaches, student-athletes, staff and parents. Additionally, it will provide a go-to destination for visitors to the surrounding community. The hotel is anticipated to open in the fall of 2018.

Dallas-based Woodbine is developing the property for IMG. Tandem Construction is the general contractor, and other consulting partners for the project include: architecture by 5G Studio of Dallas; interior design firm Edge ID of Salt Lake City; and global landscape design firm SWA. Whitney Bank d.b.a. Hancock Bank is the lender.

The Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy"s architecture is complementary to the existing modern structures on campus, while exhibiting an individualized theme that draws inspiration from movement. It will showcase a mix of patterns, hues, varied reflectivity and geometrical elements that create a sense of motion. The hotel will give a nod to the dynamic and specific nature of athletic movement through the placement, orientation, specifications and shading of the building"s extensive glazing. The overall design will serve to optimize energy efficiency by maximizing interior lighting while minimizing direct solar heat.

The interiors of the hotel will exhibit a sophisticated style that feels fresh and inviting for guests from around the world. Spaces will showcase rich materials, patterns and textures, among them: tile, quartz and wood finishes with metallic accents and pops of color throughout; striking vinyl wallcoverings and varied flooring surfaces; leather, wood and upholstered furnishings; and ambience-enhancing, design-driven artwork and lighting. In combination, all elements will create a place where visitors can feel at home while also enjoying the carefree feeling inherent in a hotel stay.

The amenity lineup at The Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy will feature an elevated lobby lounge and bar, a three-meal restaurant, as well as a massage and fitness facility. The hotel will also offer 5,060 square feet of flexible meeting space for seminars, specialized training and other functions. Alfresco amenities include a resort-style swimming pool, outdoor event areas and breakout spaces—ultimately creating a secluded and relaxing oasis within footsteps of the hotel building and the rest of campus.

Hotel website