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Get the story behind the places, faces, and current events shaping the downtownATL district.
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The Atlanta Hawks became the first franchise at State Farm Arena to adopt OneCourt — a haptic device that lets blind and low-vision fans follow live basketball through vibrations — proving that downtown Atlanta's arenas can be for everyone.
A newly formed nonprofit will oversee building parks atop the Downtown Connector from Piedmont Avenue to West Peachtree — 14 acres of green space estimated at $713 million, modeled on the Beltline's governance. Phase 1 targets 2027 groundbreaking.
CIM Group's transformation of the 50-acre Gulch into a mixed-use neighborhood is one of the South's largest construction projects — with Hotel Phoenix open, entertainment district rising, and thousands of apartments coming.
Senator Reverend Warnock visits the SoDo office. Scaffolding comes down at 85 Peachtree, 115 Broad, 185 Mitchell, and 97 Broad, revealing restored facades. Atlanta Tech Village is bringing a community workspace downtown. And 154 days remain until kickoff.
Webstar Technology Group closed on a 10-acre downtown parcel near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, launching a $756 million first phase that includes 600 luxury condos, a 300-room hotel, and 60,500 square feet of retail.
The $5 billion Centennial Yards project is transforming the Gulch — long considered too difficult to develop — with thousands of apartments, new streets, retail, and office towers rising from what were once weedy parking lots, as Hotel Phoenix recently reached its highest point.
Mike and Shyretha Sheats bring Mule Train farm-to-table to the former Miller's Rexall Drug Store. Broad Street gets a $6 million overhaul. A half-acre pocket park with a 20x25 stage area starts construction. The maker space takes over the former HL Green store. And World Cup activation opportunities open up.
Smorgasburg's opening weekend drew over 10,000 attendees. Dr. Key opens Village Books on Hotel Row. Glide Pizza announces its fourth location with a DJ booth. Mayor Dickens walks the neighborhood. And Bryan Capps uncovers an 1850 daguerreotype — the oldest known photograph of Atlanta.
After four years of construction, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard reopened on November 8, 2025 — with $57 million in upgrades, 24,000 new square feet, and a renewed mission at the edge of Centennial Olympic Park.
The Stitch — the $700 million project to cap the Downtown Connector with 17 acres of green space — lost its largest federal funding commitment in 2025. Atlanta is pressing forward anyway, with groundbreaking targeted for mid-2026.
America's best soccer bar Brewhouse Cafe announces its second location in South Downtown. KMM & Co leather goods opens on Peachtree. Todd Ginsberg brings a breakfast counter. AdPipe relocates its HQ. Smorgasburg Atlanta launches October 18. And Lecrae, Killer Mike, and T.I. film a music video at Crates.
Video production software startup AdPipe has relocated from Athens to open a headquarters in South Downtown — at Atlanta Tech Village's Historic Hotel Row outpost — and announced a $12 million Series A round led by New York VC firm LGVP.
For one day in September, parking spaces in downtown Atlanta and Midtown were transformed into miniature parks with games, music, and a clothing swap — part of an international movement asking what cities could do with the land they give to parked cars.
Heart of South Downtown is a finalist for a Levitt Foundation grant to bring a free multi-year outdoor concert series to Atlanta beginning in 2026. Vote by September 15th — text ATLANTA to 877-409-5525.
280 days to the World Cup. Smorgasburg announces October opening at 140 Forsyth. A maker space with laser cutters and 3D printers is coming to ATV. 185 Mitchell's 1870s facade gets meticulous restoration. And a Civil War bullet and antique brooch surface from Broad Street excavation.
