A national burger chain is headed downtown, the latest tenant planned for a megaproject rising next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena.
New York-based Shake Shack has signed a lease at Centennial Yards, the $5 billion project transforming the stretch of parking lots and rail lines once known as the Gulch. The developer, CIM Group, announced the deal Tuesday morning.
The restaurant — known for its "ShackBurger," crinkle-cut fries and milkshakes — will be part of an 8-acre entertainment district at Centennial Yards, alongside a 5,300-seat Live Nation music venue and a Cosm immersive theater. Shake Shack will occupy a 3,000-square-foot space that spills onto a fan plaza that can accommodate thousands.
"Shake Shack fits a great niche for us," said Brian McGowan, president of Centennial Yards Co., noting the deal demonstrates investor confidence in downtown Atlanta. He added the chain could open in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, during which Atlanta will host eight matches.
The announcement is part of a broader wave of retail and restaurant activity at Centennial Yards and the adjacent South Downtown project, which is rehabbing dozens of historic buildings. Central Atlanta Progress president A.J. Robinson said the area is expecting numerous new restaurant announcements and openings in the next 12 months, driven by consumer demand for novel dining experiences in urban settings.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution