Atlanta’s tallest building scores trio of new tenants following renovations

It’s no secret that the Great Recession walloped Atlanta’s tallest skyscraper, leaving the 1.3-million-square-foot mega-structure half vacant, but its owners say recent spruce-ups are paying off, and that Bank of America Plaza is emerging as the city’s “leader in high-tech office space.”

The latest bright spots come with a trio of lease signings totaling more than 37,000 square feet, as announced today by Shorenstein Properties, which bought the 55-story, Class A high-rise in 2016.

Built in 1992 (when demand was so strong, floors were added to plans during construction), the Southeast’s tallest building recently underwent another round of renovations totaling $10 million in its West Wing. Additions included a food hall, fresh workspaces, and other amenities.

A San Francisco-based tech firm, Revel Systems, headlined the recent signings, claiming more than 25,000 square feet on the tower’s 38th floor. They’ll occupy loft-style offices that are part of the building’s expanding spec suite program, Shorenstein officials said in a release.

Demand for the tech suites—with open floorplans and creative lounge spaces—was described as being “outsized” thus far.

Greg Dukat, CEO of Revel Systems, pointed to Midtown’s mass transit access and top-flight restaurants near the building as factors that will give his company “a considerable advantage in recruiting top talent from across the area.”

Other tech-suite signings were real estate lending marketplace Groundfloor (7,746 square feet) and Florence Healthcare (4,106 square feet).

Shorenstein paid in the ballpark of $230 million for the troubled landmark, which had been foreclosed and actually auctioned off on the courthouse steps downtown during the recession.

Below, have a look at Bank of America Plaza renovations that include refreshed offices, Marketplace 600 (the 17,000-square-foot food hall), RPM Health Club and Spa, and a new Starbucks in the main lobby.