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Mapping Atlanta's Best Places According to Architects, Bigwigs

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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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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The Fox Theatre

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.

High Museum of Art

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.

Hyatt Regency Atlanta

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.

Ponce City Market

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.

Georgia Dome

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.

Atlanta Marriott Marquis

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.

The Sovereign Building

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.

SunTrust Plaza

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.

Atlanta Constitution Building

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.

Piedmont Park

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.

The Cathedral of Saint Philip

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.

H.M. Patterson & Son-Spring Hill Chapel

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.

Historic Fourth Ward Park

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.

Krog Street Market

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.

Westside Provisions District

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

Bobby Dodd Stadium

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.

CNN Center

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.

Pullman Train Yard

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.