Ponce City Market’s ‘The Tower’ being converted to bars, lounges, gathering space

In the summer of 2010, atop the building that’s since become Ponce City Market, a graffitist ducked security and climbed the 1926 structure’s neoclassical tower to leave a large tag that anybody at street level couldn’t miss. Historians considered the move a slap in the face—and possibly the storied structure’s lowest point.

Seven years later, plans have been filed for a project that exemplifies how different the former Sears, Roebuck & Co. nerve-center—and the city in general—is today.

According to What Now Atlanta, a multi-level concept called “RFD Social” is in the works for what’s known as The Tower, the ornate punctuation mark atop Ponce City Market’s roof.

Slater Hospitality, the group that operates the rest of The Roof (Nine Mile Station, Skyline Park, and the Rooftop Terrace), has issued a request for subcontractors to convert The Tower from its hollow state.

Described as 10, 10.5, 11, and 12, the floors would become several bars and lounges. Other components: a larger, rentable gathering space for business meetings and a catering kitchen, the website reports.

Permit applications for the roughly 16,100-square-foot space were filed with the city this week.

WNA reports The Tower project would be the final piece for Ponce City Market’s roof, which would be rather surprising, considering that early renderings depicted the entire space being activated. Way back when, plans included a rooftop gym and running track (see bottom right) and a village of cabanas.

PCM

But then again, tentative plans for Phase 2 show wide, rooftop swaths left blank.

S9 Architecture

• Photos: Ponce City Market’s view-rific ‘Rooftop Terrace’ events space [Curbed]