FEBRUARY 2024 ■ A SPECIAL SECTION
atlanta
Downtown’s New Buzz There is no denying that Downtown Atlanta is undergoing one of its biggest renaissances ever. Underground Atlanta is springing back to life as an arts and nightlife hub, South Downtown will soon be reimagined as a destination for tech entrepreneurs and the massive Centennial Yards mixed-use development is set to transform underutilized property into a
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
thriving community. Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District continue to work behind the scenes to create an urban core that meets the needs of businesses, residents, students, and visitors. From art installations to greenery to dining and community events, Downtown
Atlanta is making strides to become a buzzing 24-hour destination. And the Stitch, the interstate-capping project set to bring additional greenspace and opportunities, will reunite the heart of Downtown for the first time in more than 60 years. You don’t want to miss a moment of what’s coming next to Downtown Atlanta.
FEBRUARY 2024 |
15
CENTRAL ATLANTA PROGRESS AND ATLANTA DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration
A New View Honoring the people, places, and businesses shaping Downtown’s exciting growth.
JANUARY 31, 2024 SIGNIA BY HILTON ATLANTA 11:00 AM CHECK-IN | 12:00 PM PROGRAM ATLANTADOWNTOWN.COM HONORING
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EVENT AND GET TICKETS
DAN AND TALLY SWEAT AWARD
MARCUS DOWNTOWN ECONOMIC IMPACT AWARD
WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD
Craig Jones
Georgia-Pacific
Bem Joiner
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
@DOWNTOWNATLANTA
Stay connected with CONNECT WITH C.A.P. Central Atlanta Progress ON LINKEDIN
Subscribe to our newsletters for updates about Downtown projects, news, and events: ATLANTADOWNTOWN.COM/SUBSCRIBE
S2 | FEBRUARY 2024
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
There’s nowhere like Downtown Atlanta
by A.J. Robinson
President of Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District
The historic core of our beloved city is a place where the pulse of progress and rhythm of resilience beat in harmony. Nestled within the heart of our vibrant metropolis, it’s a location where steel and concrete ascend towards the sky, representing the buoyant spirit of a community achieving unprecedented heights. The air in Downtown Atlanta is charged with a palpable, invigorating energy—a lively current that crackles with the promise of new beginnings and exciting possibilities. Meanwhile, the essence of our city’s rich, complex history is deeply woven into its urban fabric. Each brick, each street, and each building are silent storytellers, recounting the tales of years gone by. Every day, we add new chapters to this continuing
narrative, constructing a future that respects and builds upon the foundations of our past. Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) are at the helm of this journey, steering the city center towards a brighter future. Downtown Atlanta, under our guidance, continues its transformation from a 9-to-5 hub for office workers into a vibrant neighborhood teeming with life. Now, it’s becoming a diverse community buzzing with residents and students, brimming with a unique blend of entertainment and art, and blossoming as the intersection of culture and trade. Since we created it in 2017, the Downtown Master Plan has served as the guiding compass in CAP & ADID’s work. This comprehensive blueprint sketches out our ambitious vision for the future, encompassing all facets of Downtown life— from housing and economic development to transportation, the arts, and beyond. The Master Plan imagines a resilient community with safe, bustling streets; healthy, lively citizens; and vibrant, welcoming public spaces. These concerted efforts aim to elevate the Downtown experience to new heights. They aim to transform our urban landscape with verdant greenery and enhance our public spaces. We’re committed to better accessibility and fostering an energetic,
Al fresco lunch along the Broad Street Boardwalk
Launch of the MLK Jr. Drive Protected Bike Lane
vibrant community. Downtown is a place for everyone. With its historic charm and modern vibrancy, the only thing more impressive than its skyline is its bright and promising future.
Music, Markets & Memories
Martina Sandiego Boardwalk Performance
CAP & ADID orchestrate hundreds of placemaking activations each year, including biweekly craft markets by Community Market ATL, showcasing LGBTQIA+ artists and vendors. These markets are a Downtown highlight, offering students and residents an array of quality goods at attractive prices, enriching the community's shopping experience. Weekly lunchtime musical RoughDraftAtlanta.com
Community Market Atlanta vendor JaEunDesigns
performances on the Broad Street Boardwalk are a staple, while the summer months feature free yoga classes on Saturdays. Holidays are celebrated with an array of activations, from Valentine’s Day floral art pop-ups to a week-
Downtown Windows featuring Mike Stastny
long winter wonderland featuring faux snow and holiday-themed activities like ice sculpture carvings and wreath-making workshops. In collaboration with Arts & Entertainment Atlanta, the Downtown Windows initiative brings even more magic into the neighborhood by transforming vacant storefronts into vibrant art installations. FEBRUARY 2024 |
S3
Downtown Heroes Each year at their Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration, CAP and ADID honor the people, places, and businesses that are making an unparalleled impact on our central city.
Georgia-Pacific Marcus Downtown Economic Impact Award Georgia-Pacific was founded in 1927 as the Georgia Hardwood Lumber Company and has long been an advocate for environmental, social, and governance initiatives. Georgia-Pacific Center, the company’s corporate headquarters in Downtown Atlanta, was built in 1982 on the site of Loew’s Grand Theatre, where Gone with the Wind premiered in 1939. At its 90th anniversary in 2017, GeorgiaPacific was one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer products, building products, packaging, and pulp with tens of thousands of employees across the globe, including 7,500 in Georgia. McDonald both displayed remarkable courage and composure during an active shooter situation. The officers performed various lifesaving measures and embodies what it means to serve and protect.
the Ambassador Force with excellence, including his participation in primary site visits and public safety pre-events for major conventions and conferences.
William Lawson Craig Jones
ADID Public Space Clean Employee of the Year
Dan & Tally Sweat Award
William has been an integral part of the Clean Team for over 14 years, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to his role. William consistently goes above and beyond the expectations of his role, taking great pride in his work and displaying outstanding leadership qualities.
Craig has been a leader in real estate development and civic engagement in Atlanta for more than 40 years. Beginning his career at King & Spalding, Craig soon harnessed his expertise to serve the Atlanta community, engaging with several nonprofits, including the historic Fox Theater, KIPP Schools, Central Atlanta Progress, and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District. He has served as Board Chair for ADID for twenty years and continues to advocate for Downtown Atlanta’s development and vibrancy.
Ayesha AbdulHakeem and Ariel McDonald APD Zone 5 Officers of the Year Officer Abdul-Hakeem and Officer
S4 | FEBRUARY 2024
Bem Joiner Warner Bros. Discovery Community Leadership Award Bem is an Atlanta native, is the city’s premier creative culture curator and co-founder of the civic-minded creative consultancy and brand Atlanta Influences Everything. From growing up in the Historic West Side to creating partnerships with Atlanta and the City of Stockholm, Bem’s love for Atlanta has led him to become a pioneer in cultural activation and celebration. Bem is beyond passionate about the city of Atlanta and its growth and continues giving back through a variety of grassroots initiatives.
Rodney Wolfe Homeless Outreach Employee of the Year Since joining ADID, Rodney has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to providing compassion and care to our unhoused neighbors within the District. To learn more about CAP and ADID’s Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration, visit atlantadowntown.com/cap/about/ annual-meeting/2024-annual-meeting
Lorne Coleman
ADID Ambassador of the Year Lorne has consistently represented RoughDraftAtlanta.com
MARTA Congratulates CAP’s 2024 Award Winners
Coming Soon
Five Points Station Transformation A World-Class Transit Hub A vital transit connection for riders and vibrant destination for residents and millions of annual visitors. Elevating your experience with modern renovation and design, ensuring a seamless journey, and reflecting the MARTA system of the future.
Learn more Scan the QR code to go to itsmarta.com/five-points-station-projects.aspx
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
10x12.5 CAP Ad v4 - 2024.indd 1
FEBRUARY 2024 |
S5
1/19/24 4:56 PM
The Stitch makes strides
Often, the most transformative ideas are born out of necessity. This holds true for the Stitch, an innovative infrastructure project aimed at mending the physical divide in the heart of Atlanta. In the 1950s and 60s, our city center was intentionally severed by the Downtown Connector, leaving Atlantans disconnected from vital opportunities and each other. As Mayor Andre Dickens aptly put it, "Despite its name, the Connector cuts our city center in two. Now is the time for change." The Stitch is that change. Once
complete, the ADID-led project will establish a 3⁄4-mile platform over the Connector, creating approximately 14 acres of new urban parks and public spaces, improvements to 11 connecting streets, and enhancements to the Civic Center MARTA station. This endeavor is designed to catalyze equitable redevelopment of the surrounding area, with a focus on affordable housing, lowcost transportation, job creation, and community resource accessibility. In the past two years, local and federal
partners have committed $42.3 million to the project, with $12.5 million sourced from federal grants. ADID and the City of Atlanta are currently in the master planning stage and are working with a consultant team led by WSP, Inc. and Hargreaves Jones Landscape Architects. As a part of this process, the Stitch team has already engaged with thousands of stakeholders and community members via in-person events and online engagement tools, fostering a collaborative process to shape the project’s future.
With master planning and early engineering fully funded and progressing on schedule, the team has transitioned to fundraising for the construction of the Stitch. In September 2023, CAP, the City of Atlanta, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and other partners applied for a $157 million discretionary grant via the United States Department of Transportation's Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods program. If the application is successful, this grant would completely fund Phase 1 of the Stitch, which includes the creation of up to 4.5 acres of interstate cap and park, rehabilitation, and upgrades of the Civic Center MARTA station (funded by the MARTA station rehab program), and improvements to the safety, operations, and aesthetics of streets in the project vicinity. As the Stitch progresses from concept to reality, ADID invites you to sign up for the project’s newsletter at TheStitchATL.com.
Atlanta’s Downtown Connector ripped apart the city’s urban fabric. Join the conversation to help stitch it back together.
Stitch.MySocialPinpoint.com Now through February 29th, 2024: Share your vision for a reconnected city! The portal has numerous activities for you to directly influence the master plan currently underway. THE “CONNECTOR” TODAY
S6 | FEBRUARY 2024
AFTER THE STITCH
IMAGINATIVE RENDERING
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
REVITALIZING THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN
NOW OPEN
WWW.CENTENNIALYARDS.COM RoughDraftAtlanta.com
FEBRUARY 2024 |
S7
Rare Books, Art, State of the Art Technology and More …
The Central Library
The Central Library, located in downtown Atlanta, is the system headquarters and main library of the Fulton County Library System. Central Library offers an array of services, programs and materials for residents of all ages, including: Daily programs for children and adults like storytime, ESL and GED testing Special Collections of rare books and artifacts, including the Margaret Mitchell collection Artist in residence spaces and various gallery spaces throughout the building State of the art computer lab, meeting spaces, study rooms and more Best Buy Teen Tech Center for teens looking to explore STEM equipment and activities
fulcolibrary.org/central-library S8 | FEBRUARY 2024
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
Empowerment in Every Stride Paramount Consulting Group, LLC Celebrates Black History
Paving the Way for Excellence At Paramount Consulting Group LLC, we honor and celebrate the rich tapestry of Black history. Join us in recognizing the resilience, achievements, and contributions that have shaped our world.
Diverse Perspectives, Powerful Solutions
Our commitment to inclusivity drives innovative solutions for every client, every time. Follow us on social media for inspiring stories, discussions, and opportunities.
This February, we commemorate trailblazers who’ve paved the way for progress like our hero Congressman John Lewis and so many more. Paramount Consulting Groupv LLC stands alongside those who inspire change.
(404) 341-7272 paramountconsults.com
Looks good on the surface, right? Yet underneath that surface lies the ultimate dilemma. Our beloved community tops the U.S. for lack of economic mobility and growing suburban poverty. We can, and will, do better. Together. Working with and through community, we champion equity. And we do it in collaboration with civic and business leaders, funding partners, and neighborhoods to improve equitable outcomes block-by-block throughout our region. Learn more at cfgreateratlanta.org/TogetherATL.
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
FEBRUARY 2024 |
S9
COLLECTION OF SALES IN 2023
Thank you for your continued support as I celebrate another year of be
S10 | FEBRUARY 2024
1025 BELLEVUE DRIVE
3724 WIEUCA ROAD
2485 SKYLAND TRAIL
4454 SPRING MOUNTAIN LANE
6285 GLEN OAKS LANE
1464 FAMA DRIVE
105 PRIMROSE PASS
1500 N. HIGHLAND AVENUE**
25 TRELLIS TRACE
516 WIMBLEDON ROAD**
2365 HARRINGTON DRIVE*
1449 EVERHART STREET*†
1078 BEECH HAVEN ROAD*
1592 S. GORDON STREET*
2612 FORREST WAY*
4101 OBERON DRIVE
225 FARRELL CREEK DRIVE*
1362 PAVILION COURT, NO.39*
1130 SWEET MIA LANE
1595 ALDER LANE†
57 MOBILE AVENUE*
3885 REDBUD COURT*†
1932 ARDMORE ROAD
1361 WESSYNGTON ROAD
1140 GOODWIN PLACE*
719 PENN AVENUE
56 N. LAKE DRIVE
149 ROBIN HOOD ROAD*
1874 MERCEDES COURT
1355 WESSYNGTON ROAD
899 CUMBERLAND ROAD
661 AUBURN AVENUE, NO. 13*
550 TRIMBLE LAKE COURT*
3475 ROXBORO ROAD, NO. 3
184 WESTMINSTER DRIVE**
1185 N. HIGHLAND AVENUE
905 JUNIPER STREET, NO. 307
853 INMAN VILLAGE PARKWAY
645 SEMINOLE AVENUE
534 ORME CIRCLE*†
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
eing the No. 1 agent in Morningside and Virginia-Highland!
JARED SAPP RE A L ESTAT E GROUP
813 SHERWOOD ROAD**
905 JUNIPER STREET, NO. 805
962 PLYMOUTH ROAD
635 KENNOLIA DRIVE*
832 SPRINGDALE ROAD†
936 KINGS COURT
796 AMSTERDAM AVENUE
640 GLEN IRIS DRIVE, NO. 610
830 DREWRY STREET**†
INDUSTRY-WIDE MORNINGSIDE 2018 — 2023 3015 GREENDALE DRIVE*
525 QUILLIAN AVENUE
640 GLEN IRIS DRIVE, NO. 615*
INDUSTRY-WIDE VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND 2018 — 2023 1631 ORLANDO STREET*
310 NEEL REID DRIVE
525 RIVERCLIFF TRACE*
1160 ORMEWOOD AVENUE, NO. 1*
1643 WILDWOOD ROAD**
168 OLYMPIC PLACE
$800M+ IN CAREER SALES PHOENIX AWARD RECIPIENT, ARA 22 YEARS OF REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
JARED SAPP c. 404.668.7233 • o. 404.237.5000 • jared@jaredsapp.com jaredsapp.com • atlantafinehomes.com • sir.com
1348 MERRY LANE
324 8TH STREET**
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
1179 CITADEL DRIVE
1345 N. HIGHLAND AVENUE
1682 WILDWOOD ROAD†
0 HOPKINS ROAD*†
© 2024 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All offerings are subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. Equal Housing Opportunity. TrendGraphix, Top Producer, January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023. Zip Codes 30306, 30308 and 30324. All Property Types; All Price Points. *Represented buyer. **Represented buyer and seller. †Unlisted.
FEBRUARY 2024 |
S11
Stroll, Spin & Discover a Greener Urban Space Creating a safer, more accessible Downtown Atlanta
Parkway and Currier Street. This project has drastically improved the walkability of this car-dominated road, making it safer and more accessible for everyone. The second project was the creation of a new protected bicycle lane on M.L. King Jr. Drive. Spanning five blocks from Forsyth Street to Capitol Avenue, this lane provides dedicated space for cyclists, contributing to slower vehicle speeds and ultimately, safer streets for everyone. Downtown is on its way to becoming more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly with ongoing initiatives such as the South Downtown Transportation Plan, the Sweet Auburn Community Infrastructure Project, and the planned installation of further bike lanes. Through these efforts, we invite everyone to stroll, spin, and discover the beauty of a safer, more accessible city center.
Ceremonial tree planting at Underground Atlanta
Courtland St. sidewalk improvements
Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District continue our work to restore the urban canopy as part of the Downtown Urban Tree Planting Plan. Alongside Trees Atlanta and the City of Atlanta,
we commemorated the initiative with a ceremonial tree planting with Mayor Andre Dickens near Underground Atlanta and Five Points MARTA Station, further solidifying our vision for a greener, more beautiful city.
In the spirit of offering more transit options, CAP and ADID has committed to investing over $15 million over the next three years in transportation and public space improvements, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and dependency on automobiles. Two key projects were recently completed through strong partnerships between CAP and ADID, ATLDOT, and local stakeholders. The first was the much-needed expansion of the sidewalks on Courtland Street between Renaissance
An Eye on Development
Take a glance at what’s new, what’s underway, and what’s on the horizon There’s no lack of recent developments in Downtown Atlanta, with the new Signia by Hilton Atlanta being one of the most noticeable. This 40-floor hotel boasts 975 rooms with unparalleled access to the Georgia World Congress Center and stunning views of Downtown’s skyline. Not far from the new hotel, two construction cranes rise above the Centennial Yards development, showing the first signs of the Gulch’s new hotel and apartment tower, while the Carrie Steele Logan Bridge showcases South Downtown’s walkability. The bridge connects the neighborhood to Castleberry Hill to the west, where 129 housing units have been added right next to the Mercedez-Benz Stadium. (Find out more on pages S14, S16 and S18.) Further south, The Melody at 184 Forsyth Street will soon help transition people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing while giving them easy access to services and public transit. Meanwhile, 2 Peachtree—with its 41 stories and almost 900,000 square feet of floorspace—is set to be one of the nation’s largest office tower conversions to affordable housing. Just blocks away, the recently completed Legacy at Centennial added 800 student residents right next to a
S12 | FEBRUARY 2024
2 Peachtree presentation at CAP & ADID Town Hall
stop on the Atlanta Streetcar. Woodruff Park underwent a recent redesign to make it more open Woodruff Park renovations and inviting, with new pathways and clear lines of sight. Historic Sweet Auburn recently saw the completion the area’s superior walkability, Downtown’s of Thrive Sweet Auburn, which provides number of residents will only continue housing and employment to those in need. to grow. And those residents can look Plans to renovate the Price Hall Masons forward to 14 acres of greenspace once the Lodge, Odd Fellows Tower, and Front Stitch is complete. This massive project Porch are also in place. will repair the divide between Downtown To the north, the development of the and Midtown by covering the freeway Civic Center site is a once-in-a-generation and creating new spaces for development opportunity to add even more housing and community. And last but not least, units. With unmatched transit access and Courtland Street’s new sidewalk and
beautified streetscape make it safer for both pedestrians and drivers. From towering high-rises to bike lanes and pathways, Downtown continues to become more vibrant and livable every day. To learn more about recent investments in our city center, visit AtlantaDowntown. com/Investment.
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
FEBRUARY 2024 |
S13
Arts & Entertainment Atlanta’s Dynamic Vision Unleashing the power of art, transforming the city
Fabian Williams’ artwork at Margaret Mitchell Square for A&E Atlanta’s “Local Stories” Performance by 2023 A&E Atlanta grantee Fly on a Wall
At the intersection of art and advertising is an ADID initiative that’s adding light and color to Downtown’s cityscape. Arts & Entertainment Atlanta (A&E Atlanta), now in its fifth year, champions local arts and culture by spotlighting and uplifting local artists, most notably on large
digital signs on buildings like the Westin and AmericasMart. A&E Atlanta recently granted a record $198,000 to twenty-one artists and arts organizations that represent a diverse spectrum of creative talent. The grant funds will support vital operations and the development of multidisciplinary
projects and activations within Downtown. A&E Atlanta self-funds its management and programming through revenue-sharing agreements with media companies within the district including Orange Barrel Media and BIG Outdoor. With everything from public
installations and education to performances and films, Downtown's burgeoning arts community will only continue to grow. Keep your eyes on the A&E Atlanta grantees; they’ll undoubtedly be behind some of our city’s most exciting projects. To learn more, visit aeatlanta.com.
Tech investors buy South Downtown properties for entrepreneurial district By Dyana Bagby Atlanta Tech Village founder and entrepreneur David Cummings teamed up with technology investors to buy up acres of South Downtown properties that were set to be sold at foreclosure. Cummings and Jon Birdsong of Atlanta Ventures announced in late December they teamed up to buy 53 parcels including 6 acres of parking lots from German developer Newport RE. The deal closed this month. Plans are to transform the area into a vast entrepreneurial district and create a second site for Atlanta Tech Village. Atlanta Tech Village in Buckhead is one of the country’s largest technology centers for entrepreneurs. Creating more housing is a priority, Birdsong has said. This month, Atlanta Ventures opened a pop-up location at 170 Mitchell Street SW with workspaces in a shared community space, conference rooms and free parking. Newport’s years-long plans to redevelop 10 blocks of the neglected Downtown area near the Five Points MARTA station into a thriving neighborhood dubbed “South DWNTN” collapsed last year when the company said it was forced to sell
S14 | FEBRUARY 2024
its portfolio after investor funding dried up. Many of Newport’s properties were up for foreclosure after the company defaulted on loans after a deal fell through to sell its portfolio to Atlanta-based Braden Fellman. Cummings and Birdsong announced their plans just before the new year to buy the entire Newport portfolio in a statement posted on the Atlanta Ventures website. They also announced April Stammel of Newport is now a board member of Atlanta Ventures. Cummings and Birdsong praised Newport’s “compelling vision” to revitalize
South Downtown. That vision deserves to be pursued, they said, to develop South Downtown into a potential hub for tech entrepreneurs. A larger plan for the property could be completed in the next year with plans for mixed-uses to be open in time for the 2026 World Cup. “Our first priority is listening and ensuring the mechanisms are in place to keep South Downtown in a state of progress,” the statement said. “Progress towards the continued combination of historic preservation and new construction, with a greater emphasis on creative doers and entrepreneurs from every corner of our city.”
“We, at Atlanta Ventures, will not let our city go backwards,” Cummings and Birdsong said. “Innovation, progress, and risk-taking are in our blood. It’s why we choose to call this city home. It’s why we named our firm after our city.” Cummings and Birdsong said the investment in South Downtown is an opportunity to create a safe, walkable, and livable neighborhood in the “once forgotten ‘heart of the city’.” “Every great city in the world has a vibrant downtown, it’s Atlanta’s turn,” they said.
Courtesy of Tyde Tate Kitchen
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
Exceptional Awaits
Experience grand ballrooms and captivating restaurants created with a unique blend of sophistication and Southern hospitality — all located in an urban oasis of downtown Atlanta. From modern guest rooms to weddings and Spa Signia to conferences, come visit a destination where exceptional awaits.
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
FEBRUARY 2024 |
S15
Centennial Yards construction ‘full steam ahead’ to fill hole in the heart of Downtown
A rendering of the buildings under construction at Centennial Yards. (Courtesy Centennial Yards Company)
By Dyana Bagby Brian McGowan said he believes 2024 will be a “really big year” for Centennial Yards, the $5 billion development that promises to transform the gaping hole in the heart of Downtown Atlanta into a vibrant entertainment district and regional attraction. “We’re full steam ahead, despite the current economic conditions, which we actually believe are improving,” said McGowan, president of Centennial Yards Company, an affiliate of Los Angeles-based CIM Group. “The big takeaway is that things are going very well. We're on track. As far as the timeline, this is going to be a really big year for us.” For decades, city leaders tried to redevelop The Gulch, considered an eyesore. In 2018, the city selected Los Angeles-based CIM Group to redevelop the 50 acres in a deal that included $1.9 billion in public subsidies. When the project is complete over the next decade, it will include 4 million square feet of retail, hotels, and office space and another 4 million square feet of apartments. For four years, massive amounts of infrastructure work to create street grids to develop about 12 to 15 new city blocks have been taking place. “We're actually building a city within a city,” McGowan said. “Everything from water, power, sewer, IT infrastructure for Wi-Fi and internet access – all of those things. “And it is a very complicated site
S16 | FEBRUARY 2024
boutique hotel on a sliver of land across the street from the former Elliott Street Pub, he said, and a groundbreaking for that project could happen next year. But financing construction of office buildings has slowed as the work-fromhome trend continues, impacting some plans for Centennial Yards. The Lofts at Centennial Yard South with 162 apartments at 125 Ted Turner Drive SW has been open for a couple of years and remains fully leased, McGowan said. The second part of the building, called the 99 building, was planned for office space. But now negotiations are underway to turn the space into a boutique hotel, McGowan said. Original plans for Centennial Yards also included tearing down the old Atlanta Journal-Constitution printing press building between Fairlie Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive to build a 520-square-foot office building named One City Plaza. But this plan is now on hold for at least two years, McGowan said. “We think that this building is a great place to film for movies, so we're marketing that we can rent the building out for
Cranes rise over The Gulcch property, which is being transformed into the mixed-use Centennial Yards in Downtown. (Photos by Dyana Bagby)
because there are sewer lines running through it, there are gas lines running through it, there's a MARTA line running through it, one of the busiest rail lines in America runs through it,” he said. “I think it’s important to point out that this couldn't have happened without the public-private partnership that was brought together, meaning the incentives that were layered upon the site.” Now, two massive cranes, one standing 276 feet tall and the other standing 325 feet high, stretch up high into the sky from The Gulch, far above the elevated streets surrounding it. They are constructing the first two ground-up 18-story buildings at Centennial Yards. In January, construction of the 300unit apartment building reached street level along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive,
marking a milestone for the project. The foundation of the 290-room hotel is finished, and its construction is expected to rise to street level in about three months. There is also roughly 30,000 square feet of retail space at the base of the buildings for coffee shops, restaurants, and other stores. Both towers are expected to be completed by 2025, a year before the FIFA World Cup comes to Atlanta. McGowan said there is more than 3 million square feet of retail interest in Centennial Yards. Negotiations continue and announcements on tenants are expected to be announced later this year. A 230-unit apartment building with 5,000 square feet of retail as part of the Spring Street phase of the project is expected to break ground in six months, he added. There is interest for another
events, or movie or TV production in the meantime before we tear the AJC building down,” he said. McGowan said Centennial Yards would include up to 4,000 apartments as well as all the retail and hotels and plazas for sporting events and other live events. “We're creating Atlanta's newest, coolest, most visible neighborhood, and it will have a very unique feel to it, he said. “It’s going to be big and flashy and fancy and visible. This is going to be a place where you can experience Atlanta culture,” he said. “We want to make sure that the mix of retail and art and music and things that you are sensing when you're in the district really leave you with a sense of who we are as a people.” RoughDraftAtlanta.com
Rooted in Downtown Atlanta – Delivering on the promise of a
New Southern Renaissance
Our talented team of public sector
change the legislative and regulatory landscape,
problem solvers leverages resolve and
partner with government and positively impact
relationships at the intersection of industry
communities across the region. Our offices and
and government. We were founded in
event space are in the heart of South Downtown,
Atlanta, and built to serve the southeastern
one of Atlanta’s redevelopment hotspots.
US. And we’ve helped hundreds of clients
What challenge can we solve for you?
235 Mitchell St. SW 4th Floor Atlanta 30303 404.600.1364 ohioriversouth.com
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
FEBRUARY 2024 |
S17
Signia by Hilton hotel opens adjacent to the World Congress Center By Collin Kelley
State and local officials at the ribbon-cutting for the Signia by Hilton hotel. (Photo by Keith Pepper)
The new 42-story, 976-room Signia by Hilton Atlanta – the city’s largest hotel in 40 years – officially opened on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting attended by state and local officials. The hotel is owned by Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) and forms part of the authority’s “Championship Campus,” which includes Georgia World Congress Center, MercedesBenz Stadium and Centennial Olympic Park. Built on the repurposed foundation of the Georgia Dome, the hotel features eight food and beverage experiences; a spa, beauty bar, rooftop pool and fitness center; more than 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including the largest hotel ballroom in Georgia; a grand outdoor event deck and lawn; and Club Signia. The culinary offerings include Capolinea, an Italian-inspired kitchen; Nest on Four, an upscale sports bar; Homespun, a Southern breakfast destination; and Highball, a pool bar featuring craft cocktails and Southern picnic favorites. “Signia by Hilton offers the world’s best meetings and events, a vibrant atmosphere,
exceptional amenities and personalized service catered to the needs of today’s global traveler,” said Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, in a press release. “We are excited to introduce this brand to our extensive portfolio in Atlanta, a dynamic destination that continues to play an important role in Hilton’s growth, and are proud of the positive impact this hotel will have on the community through local job creation partnerships and incremental convention and leisure business.” “Signia by Hilton Atlanta complements our vision for a compact and connected campus featuring a package of facilities unrivaled in any city in the United States,” said Frank Poe, executive director of Georgia World Congress Center Authority. “More importantly, it is a cornerstone of a strategy centered on aligning GWCCA with the evolving needs of its customers while putting Atlanta on the shortlist for the most prestigious live events the industry has to offer.” The hotel was developed by Bostonbased Drew Company, with Gensler as the architect and interior designer, and a joint venture between Skanska and SG Contracting as the general contractor.
CONGRATULATIONS, CRAIG JONES! COUSINS APPLAUDS YOUR LEADERSHIP IN ATLANTA.
cousins.com
S18 | FEBRUARY 2024
Avery McMahon
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
RAISING THE CITY THAT RAISED US. Just like you, Atlanta means everything to us. When one of us grows, we all grow stronger. When we level up, Atlanta does too. That’s why Grady opened the new Correll Pavilion. If you need expert cancer, orthopedic, eye, or GI care, we’ve got you. The Correll Pavilion - all 600,000 square feet - means more space for doctor visits, same-day surgeries, and rehab care.
Welcome to the new Grady, baby.
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
FEBRUARY 2024 |
S19
SOUTH DOWNTOWN’S NEXT CHAPTER BEGINS NOW A L E T T ER TO AT LANTA
O
NOW OPEN
ur first priority is listening and ensuring the mechanisms are in place to keep South Downtown in a state of progress. Progress towards the continued combination of historic preservation and new construction, with a
greater emphasis on creative doers and entrepreneurs from every corner of our city. The next chapter of South Downtown is one being written by local Atlantans...and we, at Atlanta Ventures, will not let our city go backwards. An opportunity to create a safe, walkable, and livable neighborhood in the once forgotten “heart of the city” is right in
Tyde Tate Kitchen
229 MITCHELL ST
OPEN SOON
front of us. E V E RY G R E AT C I T Y I N T H E WORL D H A S A V I BR A NT DOWN TOW N . I T ’ S ATL A NTA’S TUR N. Over the next year, we’ll be listening, learning, and designing towards a larger plan – while balancing the time constraints as the world awaits to enter our doorstep for the World Cup in the summer of 2026.
Spiller Park Coffee
Help us make it happen and join the story along the way... David Cummings
Jon Birdsong
Founder, Atlanta Ventures Founder, Atlanta Tech Village
CEO, SoDo Atlanta
S20 | FEBRUARY 2024
233 MITCHELL ST
Walkable from Five Points MARTA, Garnett MARTA and Mercedes-Benz Stadium
SCA N TO READ THE FU L L L ET T ER AT AT L A N TAVENTU R E S.C O M
RoughDraftAtlanta.com