For years, downtown Atlanta has had the reputation of being the city's buttoned-up historic business center and tourist hub, with little new development bringing life to the area. But now, projects are being proposed — and actually rising — that could change the character of the neighborhood for good.
So like we recently did for Midtown, here's an updated map of what's going on in downtown right now.
PROPOSED - Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Centennial Olympic Games, plans call for a dramatic renovation and expansion of the park, which has become the core of downtown's cultural district. Pending the demolition of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce building, the park would grow to the edge of Marietta Street.
PROPOSED - Since being pitched last year, little new news has emerged for the proposed 12-story, 331-unit apartment tower across the street from the Center for Civil and Human Rights, at the northeast corner of Centennial Olympic Park. While Developer Kaplan hoped to break ground last year, site access issues have reportedly caused delays.
PROPOSED - The Integral Group is hoping to bring 92 residential units and 4,000 square feet of retail space to Auburn Avenue, along the streetcar line. No timeline has been released.
PROPOSED - Proposed nearly a year ago, the project is likely now a longterm long-shot. Legacy Properties has indicated the 350-room dual-branded Hilton property just to the west of Centennial Olympic Park is on indefinite hold.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Georgia State University is transforming the low-rise building at the southwest corner of Woodruff Park, part of the midcentury Trust Company of Georgia complex, into a multi-media hub featuring a state-of-the-art production studio. Work should wrap by this summer.
PROPOSED - Threatened with demolition last year, this art-deco two-story building may just get a reprieve from the wrecking ball. After community uproar about the project's original plans, the neighboring telecom building has proposed retaining the existing structure as part of an expansion. No word on a timeline.
PROPOSED - Planned for the current site of the Georgia Dome, the hotel is still in the conceptual design phase. Rumor has it this lodge could have more than 2,000 rooms, making it the largest hotel in the city. All early concepts show a tall, sleek design.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - The new home for the Atlanta Falcons as well as Atlanta United soccer, the futuristic stadium will open in 2017 to replace the adjacent Georgia Dome. Some observers have predicted it will be the NFL's most impressive coliseum.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - The Post Properties project straddling Simpson Street, across from the World of Coca-Cola is nearly halfway complete. When done, more than 400 new apartments will be added to the neighborhood.
PROPOSED - A 175-room, eight-story "upper midscale" hotel is proposed to replace the four-story neo-classical building just north of the MARTA Civic Center Station, across the street from Emory Midtown Hospital. Built as a Packard Car dealership, the building also served as offices for Eastern Airlines and architecture firm Rosser International. No concrete plans have been revealed.
PROPOSED - Long abandoned, the 1901 Rufus Rose house on Peachtree Street is in need of some serious TLC. For more than a year, owner Liliana Bakhtiari has planned a performance venue, office spaces, and a restaurant to help activate the front yard of the 5,200-square-foot Victorian, though no work has been seen as of yet.
PROPOSED - At last check, the team behind downtown's Ferris wheel, SkyView, is planning a SkyTower to combine three amusement rides: SkyShot, SkyDrop, and SkyTwist. No timeline has been released.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Vision Hospitality Group is bringing a nine-story SpringHill Suites to the neighborhood north of Centennial Olympic Park. Facing the Georgia Aquarium's parking garage, the building has risen out of the ground in the last six months. No word on a final completion date.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Work is wrapping up on Realty Vantage Partners' transformation of a former dormitory for Emory Midtown Hospital and two adjoining 1890s retail spaces into a high-end residential complex with street-level spaces for retail and restaurants, each between 1,500 and 3,500 square feet.
PROPOSED - Developer WRS is gunning for a massive overhaul of the historic heart of the city, proposing residences, retail, offices, and a grocery store to drive density around Five Points. Any work is a long way off, though, as the property still has yet to leave city hands. Legal fights are brewing over the transfer of city-owned streets, which could be another obstacle for redevelopment.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - The trend of luxury student housing has arrived at GSU, with this new 26 story tower to house 650 students. Slated to open this fall, the facility will have a massive amenity deck with a pool and views of the GSU campus.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - The old Inn at Centennial Park is undergoing a $20 million overhaul in preparation for its rechristening as the AC Hotel by Marriott. The hotel will reopen in April, officials say.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Atlanta's oldest apartments are being rehabbed to create fresh new offices just north of The Connector. When work is completed, the complex will contain more than 50,000 square feet of workspace.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Work is underway to transform this old commercial building into a 124-room hotel. The Sejwad Hospitality project is estimated to cost roughly $16.5 million and be complete sometime this year.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Work is in full-swing to transform a dated office building at the eastern edge of downtown into a new home for Cristo Rey High School. Exterior work is wrapping up, with plans for the school to move in for the fall semester.
PROPOSED - First announced more than 10 months ago, the project is slated to bring more than 40 apartments to south downtown — a rarity. Now, with $8.5 million lined up, the project is a go, though a timeline has not been finalized.
PROPOSED - While it's still unclear what will be in store for the future of this long-vacant Beaux Arts tower on the edge of The Connector, an announcement this month of a deal with Easements Atlanta indicates that the tower will be adaptively reused.
PROPOSED - With the opening of Mercedes-Benz Stadium this summer, the city is planning to construct a serpentine bridge connecting the new stadium to the Vine City MARTA Station, across Northside Drive.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - A renovation is underway to modernize many of the public spaces around this downtown landmark in preparation for the complex's 50th anniversary.
PROPOSED - Currently home to an infamous homeless shelter, the northeastern corner of Peachtree and Pine streets is the proposed home for a new consolidated law enforcement and homeland security facility. Details are very scant, and there is no timeline as the shelter still operates.
PROPOSED - An ambitious proposal for capping The Connector with a massive park was floated last year by Central Atlanta Progress. Surrounded by high-rises, the park could become the new center for downtown. Construction is likely years away.
PROPOSED - Announced late last year, the Sweet Auburn Ballroom is slated to fill an outdated YMCA building on Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive off of Auburn Avenue. Live Nation, who also runs the Tabernacle downtown — roughly more than double the size of the Ballroom — will develop and manage the venue.
PROPOSED - Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Centennial Olympic Games, plans call for a dramatic renovation and expansion of the park, which has become the core of downtown's cultural district. Pending the demolition of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce building, the park would grow to the edge of Marietta Street.
PROPOSED - Since being pitched last year, little new news has emerged for the proposed 12-story, 331-unit apartment tower across the street from the Center for Civil and Human Rights, at the northeast corner of Centennial Olympic Park. While Developer Kaplan hoped to break ground last year, site access issues have reportedly caused delays.
PROPOSED - The Integral Group is hoping to bring 92 residential units and 4,000 square feet of retail space to Auburn Avenue, along the streetcar line. No timeline has been released.
PROPOSED - Proposed nearly a year ago, the project is likely now a longterm long-shot. Legacy Properties has indicated the 350-room dual-branded Hilton property just to the west of Centennial Olympic Park is on indefinite hold.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Georgia State University is transforming the low-rise building at the southwest corner of Woodruff Park, part of the midcentury Trust Company of Georgia complex, into a multi-media hub featuring a state-of-the-art production studio. Work should wrap by this summer.
PROPOSED - Threatened with demolition last year, this art-deco two-story building may just get a reprieve from the wrecking ball. After community uproar about the project's original plans, the neighboring telecom building has proposed retaining the existing structure as part of an expansion. No word on a timeline.
PROPOSED - Planned for the current site of the Georgia Dome, the hotel is still in the conceptual design phase. Rumor has it this lodge could have more than 2,000 rooms, making it the largest hotel in the city. All early concepts show a tall, sleek design.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - The new home for the Atlanta Falcons as well as Atlanta United soccer, the futuristic stadium will open in 2017 to replace the adjacent Georgia Dome. Some observers have predicted it will be the NFL's most impressive coliseum.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - The Post Properties project straddling Simpson Street, across from the World of Coca-Cola is nearly halfway complete. When done, more than 400 new apartments will be added to the neighborhood.
PROPOSED - A 175-room, eight-story "upper midscale" hotel is proposed to replace the four-story neo-classical building just north of the MARTA Civic Center Station, across the street from Emory Midtown Hospital. Built as a Packard Car dealership, the building also served as offices for Eastern Airlines and architecture firm Rosser International. No concrete plans have been revealed.
PROPOSED - Long abandoned, the 1901 Rufus Rose house on Peachtree Street is in need of some serious TLC. For more than a year, owner Liliana Bakhtiari has planned a performance venue, office spaces, and a restaurant to help activate the front yard of the 5,200-square-foot Victorian, though no work has been seen as of yet.
PROPOSED - At last check, the team behind downtown's Ferris wheel, SkyView, is planning a SkyTower to combine three amusement rides: SkyShot, SkyDrop, and SkyTwist. No timeline has been released.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Vision Hospitality Group is bringing a nine-story SpringHill Suites to the neighborhood north of Centennial Olympic Park. Facing the Georgia Aquarium's parking garage, the building has risen out of the ground in the last six months. No word on a final completion date.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Work is wrapping up on Realty Vantage Partners' transformation of a former dormitory for Emory Midtown Hospital and two adjoining 1890s retail spaces into a high-end residential complex with street-level spaces for retail and restaurants, each between 1,500 and 3,500 square feet.
PROPOSED - Developer WRS is gunning for a massive overhaul of the historic heart of the city, proposing residences, retail, offices, and a grocery store to drive density around Five Points. Any work is a long way off, though, as the property still has yet to leave city hands. Legal fights are brewing over the transfer of city-owned streets, which could be another obstacle for redevelopment.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - The trend of luxury student housing has arrived at GSU, with this new 26 story tower to house 650 students. Slated to open this fall, the facility will have a massive amenity deck with a pool and views of the GSU campus.
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