Most Atlantans know that Downtown Atlanta struggles to keep up with the booming excitement of Midtown and Buckhead, or the other artsy neighborhoods around the city. Downtown, with its rich history and importance, is largely forgotten unfortunately.
But that’s all about to change, with the introduction of this brand new entertainment district, right next to Mercedes Benz Stadium: the Centennial Yards Entertainment District.
Developing the (literal) heart of Atlanta
Centennial Yards Company is excited to bring life to a long-forgotten part of Atlanta. Known by locals as ‘The Gulch,’ this part of downtown is run-down and overrun with weeds and abandoned train tracks. And it’s teeming with potential for greatness.
According to a press release from Centennial Yards, “The Entertainment District’s design creates a balance between the surrounding Centennial Olympic Park and towering high-rise buildings, and will feature lower, tiered buildings accented by green terraces along various elevations. Visitors of the district will be able to revel in a pedestrian-centered experience, as communal spaces and walkways will be interwoven with greenery. Inspired by Downtown Atlanta’s industrial roots, the Entertainment District will reflect the site’s railroad history with clean lines and flat pedestrian pathways throughout the district.”
The designs are envisioned by Gensler, an award-winning global architecture, design and planning firm. The brand new Entertainment District will offer “470,000 square feet of entertainment, retail and restaurant space, including a flagship hotel.” And all of this is right in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Atlanta will host.
What can we expect from Centennial Yards?
Brian McGowan, President of Centennial Yards Company says in the press release, “We are thrilled to unveil the Entertainment District at Centennial Yards and partner with a world-class design firm like Gensler to provide visitors, residents and locals with an incredible hub for socializing and entertainment… Centennial Yards will truly become the epicenter of entertainment in Atlanta, bringing together people of all ages to enjoy concerts, sporting events, bars, restaurants and retail stores, all in one place.”