New Hotel Adds Luxury To Lawrenceville

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Fifty years after beginning his career as a bellman, Greg Winey has brought an upscale boutique hotel to Lawrenceville.

But, he didn't do it alone. Winey had partners, people who came together to fill a void and create a luxurious place for local visitors to stay.

That is The Lawrence Hotel, which recently opened at 120 E. Crogan St. The venue is Gwinnett County’s first upscale, full-service boutique hotel, Winey said, and it is eight years in the making.

"Seeing it finally come to life has been remarkable," said Winey, who is the president and principal of NorthPointe Hospitality, the development and management company behind The Lawrence.

"We're grateful to the City of Lawrenceville, our development partners and everyone who believed in this vision. More than anything, I hope The Lawrence becomes part of Lawrenceville's story: the place where locals celebrate anniversaries and promotions, and where visitors can't wait to come back."

He told Patch there was a void in Gwinnett amid a bustling downtown Lawrenceville region. The purpose of The Lawrence is not to build competition but to encourage longer stays in the area.

"I've lived right next door in Suwanee for nearly 30 years, so I've watched Lawrenceville and Gwinnett County transform from a front-row seat. When we started exploring this project nearly eight years ago, downtown Lawrenceville already had plenty of energy," he said.

"The city had become a real destination for dining, arts, entertainment and community events, but once the show let out, there was nowhere upscale for visitors to spend the night. That was the missing piece. We didn't want to compete with
what Lawrenceville had already built. We wanted to complete it, and give people one more reason to stay a little longer."

The city and its Downtown Development Authority, architects, financing partners, contractors and hospitality professionals all had a hand in bringing The Lawrence to life. This highlights the team effort that it takes to open a hotel for the community.

It did not come without challenges, including a pandemic, but Winey said the partners involved remained faithful.

"Walking through the finished building and seeing that
shared vision become something you can actually touch is incredibly rewarding," he said.

Chase Wynn is the general manager of The Lawrence, where he oversees the day-to-day operations. He has made establishing a welcoming environment a priority.

It's the amenities and personalization that sets The Lawrence apart from other hotels, Wynn said.

The Lawrence features 120 guest rooms and suites, two dining areas and flexible meeting and event spaces.

Room rates start at $145 and are dependent upon dates, room types and availability, Wynn said.

Bellfire serves as the hotel's on-site restaurant and marries southern and Mediterranean flavors on a plate. Guests can partake in a cocktail at Old Nick's.

"Combined with our walkable downtown location, guests have the best of both worlds, with exceptional dining and drinks right here at the hotel and an incredible selection of local restaurants, shops, arts and entertainment just steps from our doors," Wynn said.

"The hotel itself is also deeply connected to Lawrenceville's history, with architectural elements inspired by the city's industrial past. Beyond the physical property, our team is committed to creating genuine connections with guests and delivering the kind of thoughtful, memorable service that makes people want to return."

The Lawrence is not only available for overnight stays. Guests can reserve the space for weddings, business meetings and other special occasions.

"There's so much to experience at The Lawrence, and we want every visit to feel special," Wynn said.

More information: (678) 750-1100, Facebook and Instagram.