WHAT’S NEW DOWNTOWN

Downtown Atlanta is undergoing a major revitalization. Several shops, restaurants and entertainment options are already open this summer.

BY RACHEL GRINER

South Downtown is a $100+ million renewal project. Built in 1908, Hotel Row will be redeveloped into several properties, preserving the original architecture. The area along historic Mitchell Street will be home to restaurants, retail and entertainment spaces. Now open are the tasty Thai restaurant TydeTate Kitchen and an art gallery called Cat Eye Creative. Plans are underway for Spiller Park coffee, Twelve80 floral design and Pins Mechanical game bar.

Centennial Yards is a 50-acre urban development project in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Award-winning craft brewery Wild Leap recently opened a tap room in the area featuring multiple levels, patios and food trucks.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights is undergoing a $48 million expansion in time for its 10th anniversary in 2024. Existing galleries will get a refresh and two new wings will add event space, exhibits and a gallery for families.

Broad Street Boardwalk is a pedestrian-only plaza that has reopened in the FairliePoplar Historic District. On

Wednesdays and Thursdays, grab lunch from a nearby restaurant and check calendar listings for concerts.

Woodruff Park is a sixacre green space that has undergone significant improvements. Plans are in the works to accommodate more special events and increase accessibility. Free yoga is offered every Saturday through September.

Underground Atlanta has taken many forms over the years, from a nightlife district to a shopping mall. Developers now aim to reenergize the area as a true community. With housing and hotels on the way, new tenants are signing on and opening up.

• Le Maison Rouge, the wedding and event venue, has found a new home here. The Parisian-themed space houses the grand Pigalle Theater for big moments and a cozy Speakeasy for intimate receptions.

• MJQ Concourse is a popular nightclub that has always had an underground vibe. So, it is only fitting that in 2023 it will move to Underground Atlanta. Daquiriville is open now in Kenny’s Alley, serving up frozen specialties, Colombian food and karaoke.