The Sun Dial Restaurant Gets New Wheels

December 23,2009

Atlanta's iconic revolving restaurant the Sun Dial is getting a makeover beyond the new windows being installed at the Westin Peachtree Hotel.

The tri-level dining destination, which sits atop the 73-floor downtown landmark, is getting new wheels to keep it turning, hotel officials said.

Crews discovered wear on the 400 wheels that keep the restaurant revolving 360 degrees as they replaced windows damaged by the tornado that struck downtown March 14, 2008. The wheels, which are below the establishment's floor, have been in operation for more than 30 years, Westin officials said.

"We are thrilled to bring this landmark restaurant back into service," said Ed Walls, the Westin's general manager. "The window renovation presented a great opportunity to replace the floors which have been revolving above the Westin Peachtree for over 30 years."

The Westin was heavily damaged during the twister. The structure, opened in 1976, swayed two feet in either direction -- as designed -- as a result of the winds, which reached as much as 130 mph. The damage forced the Westin to take 320 of its 1,068 rooms off the market.

The broken windows were immediately replaced with blackened wood, which has given the smoky-glass building a checkerboard appearance ever since.

Officials said the window replacement is ahead of schedule and that only 81 rooms remain off the market.

The Sun Dial, which has been a destination for anniversaries, conventioneers or after-work cocktails, will remain closed through Valentine's Day. Its views of metro Atlanta from every angle more than 700 feet in the air have been hailed as the city's best.

In addition to the wheel replacement, the restaurant will also get a fresh coat of paint and its seats will get new covers. The glass elevators that open to the building's outside will reopen in the spring.