CGI Merchant Group has made a $30 million investment in a ground-up development project to convert the existing facilities at the historic Morris Brown College in Atlanta into an upscale hotel. CGI made the investment through its $650 million hospitality opportunity fund, which plans to invest in 20 total hotel projects in North America and the Caribbean over the next three years.

The construction project will redevelop existing facilities on the campus into a 90,000-square-foot, 150-room upscale hotel along with a hospitality training complex. The property will include two food and beverage outlets, an outdoor terrace and instructional space for the school's hospitality students. With this development, Morris Brown College will become the first Historically Black College and University with a flagged hotel on campus.

Tapestry Collection by Hilton will operate the hotel, but the Hilton brand plans to take a uniquely active role in the project. It is serving in an advisory capacity for the colleges' hospitality management program, which will include helping to develop the curriculum and providing ongoing support with guest speakers and job shadowing.