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Mapping Atlanta's Best Places According to Architects, Bigwigs

By Michael Kahn
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By Michael Kahn
5 comments / new

Field Note Fridays has been running for almost two months. In that time, we've caught up with two of Atlanta's most progressive developers, architects who've shaped some of the city's coolest projects and even relative newbie Tim Keane, Atlanta's director of planning. Each week, guests have chimed in about their favorite places in the city. With this being the last Friday before Thanksgiving weekend, we're dedicating this FNF installment to the places throughout Atlanta that guests have recognized as being special, in whatever way. If you've got time off and visitors in town, these locations might be worth checking out next week, because the experts said so.


· Here Now, a Map of Atlanta's Most Iconic Architecture [Curbed Atlanta]
· Field Note Fridays coverage [Curbed Atlanta]

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

The Fox Theatre

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Identified by three of our interviewees as one of their favorite places in the city, it's not hard to see why this place ranks highly. Atlanta's grande dame, the Fabulous Fox has been wowing visitors for eight decades.

660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 881-2100
(404) 881-2100

Also featured in:

High Museum of Art

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The High scored high marks, with three interviewees hailing the building and its piazza as one of the best places in the city. With buildings designed by noted architects Richard Meier and Renzo Piano, the museum is a smörgåsbord of architectural awesomeness.

1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 733-4444
(404) 733-4444

Also featured in:

Hyatt Regency Atlanta

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Also recognized by three FNF alums, the hotel (and its iconic Polaris restaurant) have been downtown features for almost five decades. While the concept of the atrium hotel has been duplicated, the Hyatt will always be the first.

265 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 577-1234
(404) 577-1234

Also featured in:

Ponce City Market

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One of Atlanta's newest attractions, PCM was mentioned by two of our architects as a great space in the city... despite the pay parking.

675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 900-7900
(404) 900-7900

Also featured in:

Georgia Dome

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Recognized by architect Tom Ventulett as one of his favorite spaces, the tent-like stadium has been a landmark in the city for more than two decades. With its days numbered, Atlantans have just one more football season to enjoy the building before it falls victim to the wrecking ball.

1 Georgia Dome Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
(404) 223-9200
(404) 223-9200

Also featured in:

Atlanta Marriott Marquis

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Tom Ventulett, a contemporary of architect John Portman, rightfully acknowledged this 52-story masterpiece of a building. Stepping inside the hotel's soaring, sinuous atrium, is one of the great excitements of Atlanta.

265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 521-0000
(404) 521-0000

Also featured in:

The Sovereign Building

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Developer Jarel Portman gave the building recognition as one of his faves. Sovereign's distinctive curving glass facade stands out as the tallest building in Buckhead.

3344 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326

SunTrust Plaza

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Jarel Portman, son of the architect John Portman, may be a bit biased in his love for this building. Then again, it is a landmark among his father's works, sitting prominently at the intersection of Peachtree and West Peachtree streets.

303 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 614-5000
(404) 614-5000

Also featured in:

Atlanta Constitution Building

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Dating back to 1947, the Atlanta Constitution Building sits along the rail gulch in the heart of downtown. While derelict, the building's sleek lines and historic allure were enough to land it on Teresa Badke's list of favorite places.

143 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Piedmont Park

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Atlanta's backyard, Piedmont Park was one of only two greenspaces to land on the list. Called out by Tim Keane as the best park in the South, it's hard to argue that it's not worth a visit.

400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
(404) 875-7275
(404) 875-7275

Also featured in:

The Cathedral of Saint Philip

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A masterpiece in ecclesiastic architecture, the Cathedral sits prominently on Peachtree Road in Buckhead. While the exterior is nothing particularly special, the interior is certainly a stunner.

2744 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 365-1000
(404) 365-1000

H.M. Patterson & Son-Spring Hill Chapel

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Designed by renowned classicist Philip Trammell Shutze, the Spring Street institution is being threatened with demolition as skyscrapers rise around it. A relic of Atlanta's past, the funeral home will likely soon be no more than a memory.

1020 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

Historic Fourth Ward Park

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With connectivity to the Beltline and proximity to draws like Ponce City Market and Krog Street, the park is an oasis within the growing neighborhood.

680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Krog Street Market

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Just 1-year-old, Krog Street Market is already adored by Atlantans as a destination at the end of the Eastside Trail. With a range of options for dining and libating, the place is hopping most nights of the week.

99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Also featured in:

Westside Provisions District

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Another one of Atlanta's successful adaptive-reuse projects, Westside Provision lands on the list courtesy of developer Jarel Portman.

Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 815-0045
(404) 815-0045

Bobby Dodd Stadium

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While Tech might be hobbling through this football season, architect John Bencich hints that there's more to the stadium than football. With sweeping views of Atlanta from the upper deck, it might be worth buying the cheap ticket just for the sight-lines.

150 Bobby Dodd Way NW, Atlanta, GA 30332
(888) 832-4849
(888) 832-4849

CNN Center

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Located just west of Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta's home for news hits the spot for Tom Ventulett. Besides housing a food court, a hotel and the international news network, the atrium also features one of the world's tallest freestanding escalators.

190 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 827-2300
(404) 827-2300

Also featured in:

Pullman Train Yard

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The long abandoned rail yards east of downtown Atlanta are home to some fantastic historic architecture that's currently largely off limits. While urban exploring is discouraged due to that whole trespassing thing, we hear it's a pretty cool place to check out.

225 Rogers St NE, Atlanta, GA 30317

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The Fox Theatre

660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Identified by three of our interviewees as one of their favorite places in the city, it's not hard to see why this place ranks highly. Atlanta's grande dame, the Fabulous Fox has been wowing visitors for eight decades.

660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 881-2100
(404) 881-2100

High Museum of Art

1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

The High scored high marks, with three interviewees hailing the building and its piazza as one of the best places in the city. With buildings designed by noted architects Richard Meier and Renzo Piano, the museum is a smörgåsbord of architectural awesomeness.

1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 733-4444
(404) 733-4444

Hyatt Regency Atlanta

265 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Also recognized by three FNF alums, the hotel (and its iconic Polaris restaurant) have been downtown features for almost five decades. While the concept of the atrium hotel has been duplicated, the Hyatt will always be the first.

265 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 577-1234
(404) 577-1234

Ponce City Market

675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

One of Atlanta's newest attractions, PCM was mentioned by two of our architects as a great space in the city... despite the pay parking.

675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 900-7900
(404) 900-7900

Georgia Dome

1 Georgia Dome Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Recognized by architect Tom Ventulett as one of his favorite spaces, the tent-like stadium has been a landmark in the city for more than two decades. With its days numbered, Atlantans have just one more football season to enjoy the building before it falls victim to the wrecking ball.

1 Georgia Dome Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
(404) 223-9200
(404) 223-9200

Atlanta Marriott Marquis

265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Tom Ventulett, a contemporary of architect John Portman, rightfully acknowledged this 52-story masterpiece of a building. Stepping inside the hotel's soaring, sinuous atrium, is one of the great excitements of Atlanta.

265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 521-0000
(404) 521-0000

The Sovereign Building

3344 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326

Developer Jarel Portman gave the building recognition as one of his faves. Sovereign's distinctive curving glass facade stands out as the tallest building in Buckhead.

3344 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326

SunTrust Plaza

303 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Jarel Portman, son of the architect John Portman, may be a bit biased in his love for this building. Then again, it is a landmark among his father's works, sitting prominently at the intersection of Peachtree and West Peachtree streets.

303 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 614-5000
(404) 614-5000

Atlanta Constitution Building

143 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Dating back to 1947, the Atlanta Constitution Building sits along the rail gulch in the heart of downtown. While derelict, the building's sleek lines and historic allure were enough to land it on Teresa Badke's list of favorite places.

143 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Piedmont Park

400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

Atlanta's backyard, Piedmont Park was one of only two greenspaces to land on the list. Called out by Tim Keane as the best park in the South, it's hard to argue that it's not worth a visit.

400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
(404) 875-7275
(404) 875-7275

The Cathedral of Saint Philip

2744 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

A masterpiece in ecclesiastic architecture, the Cathedral sits prominently on Peachtree Road in Buckhead. While the exterior is nothing particularly special, the interior is certainly a stunner.

2744 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 365-1000
(404) 365-1000

H.M. Patterson & Son-Spring Hill Chapel

1020 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

Designed by renowned classicist Philip Trammell Shutze, the Spring Street institution is being threatened with demolition as skyscrapers rise around it. A relic of Atlanta's past, the funeral home will likely soon be no more than a memory.

1020 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

Historic Fourth Ward Park

680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

With connectivity to the Beltline and proximity to draws like Ponce City Market and Krog Street, the park is an oasis within the growing neighborhood.

680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Krog Street Market

99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Just 1-year-old, Krog Street Market is already adored by Atlantans as a destination at the end of the Eastside Trail. With a range of options for dining and libating, the place is hopping most nights of the week.

99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Westside Provisions District

Atlanta, GA 30318

Another one of Atlanta's successful adaptive-reuse projects, Westside Provision lands on the list courtesy of developer Jarel Portman.

Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 815-0045
(404) 815-0045

Bobby Dodd Stadium

150 Bobby Dodd Way NW, Atlanta, GA 30332

While Tech might be hobbling through this football season, architect John Bencich hints that there's more to the stadium than football. With sweeping views of Atlanta from the upper deck, it might be worth buying the cheap ticket just for the sight-lines.

150 Bobby Dodd Way NW, Atlanta, GA 30332
(888) 832-4849
(888) 832-4849

CNN Center

190 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Located just west of Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta's home for news hits the spot for Tom Ventulett. Besides housing a food court, a hotel and the international news network, the atrium also features one of the world's tallest freestanding escalators.

190 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 827-2300
(404) 827-2300

Pullman Train Yard

225 Rogers St NE, Atlanta, GA 30317

The long abandoned rail yards east of downtown Atlanta are home to some fantastic historic architecture that's currently largely off limits. While urban exploring is discouraged due to that whole trespassing thing, we hear it's a pretty cool place to check out.

225 Rogers St NE, Atlanta, GA 30317