View source for Atlantic Station, Atlanta

{{Short description|Neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia}}
{{Use American English|date = April 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = April 2019}}
{{Infobox urban development project
 | embed               = 
 | name                = Atlantic Station
 | image               = [[File:Atlantic Station Logo.svg|220px]]
 | image2              = Atlantic Station.jpg
 | caption2            = The skyline of Atlantic Station in 2011
 | other_names         = 
 | location            = [[Midtown Atlanta]]
 | address             = 1380 Atlantic Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30363
 | coordinates         = 
 | status              = 
 | groundbreaking      = 2002
 | proposed            = 1998
 | constructed         = 
 | est_completion      = 
 | opening             = 2005
 | demolished          = 
 | destroyed           = 
 | use                 = Mixed-use development
 | engineer            = 
 | main_contractor     = 
 | architect           = Development Design Group
 | developer           = 
 | planner             =
 | owner               = [[Hines (company)|Hines]]
 | manager             = 
 | cost                = $150 million
 | buildings           = 
 | size                = 523,511 sq. ft. (approx.)
 | gross_leasable_area = 
 | parking             = 
 | number_of_tenants   = 
 | number_of_residents = 
 | number_of_workers   = 
 | website             = {{URL|https://atlanticstation.com/}}
}}

'''Atlantic Station''' is a neighborhood on the northwestern edge of [[Midtown Atlanta]], [[Georgia (US State)|Georgia]], [[United States]] comprising a retail district, office space, condominiums, townhomes and apartment buildings. First planned in the mid-1990s and officially opened in 2005, the neighborhood is located on the former [[brownfield land|brownfield site]] of the [[Atlantic Steel]] mill.

==History==
{{Further|Atlantic Steel}}
Atlantic Station is located on the site of the [[Atlantic Steel]] mill, which opened in 1901.<ref name="atlanticstation.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.atlanticstation.com/press/presskit/HistoricalTimeline1206.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-01-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723110835/http://www.atlanticstation.com/press/presskit/HistoricalTimeline1206.pdf |archive-date=2008-07-23 }}</ref> The steel mill was nearly closed in the mid-1970s, but it remained nominally operational primarily to avoid the huge costs it would have required to [[Environmental remediation|remediate]] the [[soil contamination]] present after years of operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/AtlanticStation080904HC-GA/AtlanticStation080904HC-GA.pdf|title=Health Consultation: Atlantic Station Redevelopment |date=2004-08-09|access-date=2016-03-16|publisher=[[United States Department of Health and Human Services]]}}</ref>

Developer [[Jim Jacoby]], who also redeveloped [[Florida]]'s [[Marineland of Florida|Marineland]], began putting the project together in 1997 when his company became the property contractor of the land. The redevelopment of the land into what is now Atlantic Station was [[financing|financed]] largely by private [[investment]], but was heavily supplemented by a special [[tax]] [[district]] to pay for city [[Bond (finance)|tax bonds]] for [[public utilities]] ([[street]]s, [[sidewalk]]s, and [[sanitary sewer|sewer]]s). The development was originally planned to include {{convert|15|e6sqft|m2}} of retail, office, residential space as well as {{convert|11|acre|m2}} of public parks.<ref name="bizjournals.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2006/03/06/focus7.html|title=Atlantic Station shopping a retail rush for city|work=[[Atlanta Business Chronicle]]|date=2006-03-03|access-date=2008-10-17}}</ref> Its size encouraged the [[United States Postal Service|Postal Service]] to award the neighborhood its own [[ZIP code]]: 30363.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/stories/2008/04/25/zipcodes_0427.html|title=Cracking the zip code of Atlanta cool|work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=2008-04-25|access-date=2008-09-25}}</ref>
[[Image:Atlantic steel mill.jpg|thumb|Atlantic Steel Mill]]
The project design was led by US architect, John Clark while working at Development Design Group Inc. (DDG), based in [[Baltimore]].

Atlantic Station was designed with [[Efficient energy use|energy efficiency]] in mind and many of the buildings are [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED]] certified.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlanticstation.com/concept_greenstar.php |title=Atlantic Station® - Life Happens here |access-date=2009-01-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119223456/http://atlanticstation.com/concept_greenstar.php |archive-date=2009-01-19 }}</ref> Additionally, the project was developed to help mitigate [[urban sprawl]] and reduce [[air pollution]] by allowing many more people to live and work within [[walking]] distance of most everyday things they need, with many alternative transportation options nearby. The proposed [[BeltLine]] transit/[[greenway (landscape)|greenway]] project is expected to pass within a few miles of the development.

In October 2003, the very first residents moved into the development. The 17th Street bridge was completed in January 2004 and the first round of retail establishments opened in October 2005.<ref name="atlanticstation.com" /> Atlantic Station received the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]]'s 2004 Phoenix Award as the Best National Brownfield Redevelopment, as well as the [[Sierra Club]]'s 2005 America's Best New Development Projects listing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cooperativeconservationamerica.org/viewproject.asp?pid=498 |title=Atlantic Station Redevelopment |access-date=2008-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228210411/http://www.cooperativeconservationamerica.org/viewproject.asp?pid=498 |archive-date=2009-02-28 }}</ref>

In July 2005, a pre-dawn fire completely destroyed a large wood-frame residential building under construction.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.globest.com/news/333_333/atlanta/136567-1.html|title=Atlantic Station Fire Guts Lane's $55M Element Condos|publisher=Globe St|date=2005-07-25|access-date=2007-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928021559/http://www.globest.com/news/333_333/atlanta/136567-1.html|archive-date=2007-09-28|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="wsbtv">{{cite news|url=http://www.wsbtv.com/news/4772189/detail.html |title=Atlantic Station Blaze Deliberately Set |publisher=WSB-TV |date=2005-07-27 |access-date=2007-03-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222410/http://www.wsbtv.com/news/4772189/detail.html |archive-date=2007-09-27 }}</ref> Two days later, it was ruled [[arson]] after a major investigation.<ref name="wsbtv" /><ref name="wxia">{{cite news|url=http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=66771|title=Midtown Fire Ruled an Arson|publisher=WXIA-TV|date=2005-07-27|access-date=2007-03-29}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> In addition to the destruction of the 65-unit Element building, which was only framed-in at the time, another 80 inhabited units at the Art Foundry across Mecaslin Street had damage to the facade, including scorching, broken windows, and melted miniblinds. At least five million dollars of damage was done to the buildings, 18 cars parked on the street were destroyed and another 7 were seriously damaged from the intense heat.<ref name="wsbtv" />

In a joint venture, [[North American Properties]] Atlanta, founded by [[Mark Toro]], and [[CBRE Group|CB Richard Ellis Investors]] closed on the purchase of Atlantic Station's retail component on December 31, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nreionline.com/finance/real_estate_turnaround_artist|title=Turnaround Artist|publisher=National Real Estate Investor|date=2011-05-01|access-date=2014-10-23}}</ref> Toro and the NAP management launched a social media blitz, attended community meetings and real estate symposiums to openly discuss challenges, such as crime, and invite feedback.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/business/mark-toro-white-male-seeks-diverse-twitter-followe/nQLmy/|title=Mark Toro, white male, seeks diverse Twitter followers|publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=2011-09-13}}</ref> Toro's vision to transform Atlantic Station included new retail, new restaurants, better parking and a renewed effort to make Atlantic Station a destination for in-town residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2011/02/25/mark-toro-talks-about-atlantic-station-evolution/|title=Mark Toro talks about Atlantic Station evolution|publisher=Atlanta InTown|date=2011-02-25}}</ref>

On October 1, 2015, Atlantic Station's retail core was officially sold to [[Hines Interests Limited Partnership|Hines Interest Limited Partnership]] with an unnamed joint financial partner.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/business/atlantic-station-retail-core-sold/3qLut6a1nZAMUVV7w61yJL/|title=Atlantic Station retail core sold|last=Trubey|first=J. Scott|date=2015-10-01|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|publisher=Cox Media Group|access-date=2016-10-18}}</ref>

On the night of November 26, 2022, several people opened fire in the Atlantic Station neighborhood. One person was shot and killed, while five others were injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/multiple-people-shot-atlantic-station-police-say/KK3TBTQP45AZ3KHZAR6CTHQIQE/|title=APD: 1 dead, 5 injured in 17th Street bridge shooting after group escorted off Atlantic Station|website=WSBTV|date=November 26, 2022}}</ref>

==Layout==
[[File:Atlantic Station smokestack.jpg|thumb|A smokestack from the original steel mill]]
Atlantic Station comprises three distinct areas that are lined along 17th Street between the [[Downtown Connector]] and [[Northside Drive]], the District, the Commons, and the Village.

The District is where most of Atlantic Station's retail and office space is located. Opened on October 21, 2005, it was constructed in the style of an outdoor mall, with choices of shopping, dining, and a 16-screen [[Regal Entertainment Group|Regal]] [[movie theater]]. Above the retail levels is an additional two to three stories of condominiums. With the 7,200-space parking garage underneath, the shopping area is pedestrian-friendly and many of the surface level streets are often closed off for special events. The southwest corner of The District is home to the 26-story, {{convert|336|ft|m|adj=on}} TWELVE Hotel and Residences Atlantic Station, which was completed in December 2005. In addition, townhomes constructed in 2004 line 16th Street one block south of The District.

The District's office space is located along the six-lane 17th Street Corridor, and is home to the 22-story tall [[171 17th Street]], known as the [[Wells Fargo]] Building and completed in 2004, and the 17-story 201 17th Street, completed in 2007. Developed by [[AIG Global Real Estate]], 171 17th Street was awarded the silver certificate in the [[U.S. Green Building Council|U.S. Green Building Council's]] [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)]] Core and Shell Development program. 171 17th Street became the first-ever LEED Silver-Core and Shell certified high-rise office building,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mactec.com/Projects/Atlantic_Station.aspx|title=Atlantic Station: Atlantic Steel Brownfield Site Redevelopment (1997–2002)}}</ref> and the first high-rise office building in Georgia to receive any LEED certification. The 25-story [[BB&T]] Tower at 271 17th Street was completed in 2009, becoming Atlantic Station's tallest office tower.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2007/07/16/daily33.html|title=BB&T to consolidate at Atlantic Station tower|work=[[Atlanta Business Chronicle]]|date=2007-07-19|access-date=2008-10-17|first=Joe|last=Rauch}}</ref> 271 was designed by [[tvsdesign]] and built by [[Brasfield & Gorrie]].

The Commons is home to many low-rise [[Condominium (living space)|condominium]]s, [[apartment]]s, [[townhome]]s, and a large man-made stormwater retention pond that is located within the median of 17th Street.  The Village is located on the westernmost portion of Atlantic Station, along 16th Street, and comprises an [[IKEA]] store that opened in 2005,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2005/05/09/focus8.html|title=IKEA faces logistics of high-density shopping|work=[[Atlanta Business Chronicle]]|date=2005-05-06|access-date=2008-09-25|first=Ray|last=Glier}}</ref> as well as two apartment complexes.

==Retail==
Current tenants include [[Gap Inc.#Athleta|Athleta]], [[The Athlete's Foot]], [[Atlanta Falcons]] Official Team Store, [[Atlanta United FC|Atlanta United]] Official Team Store, [[AT&T]], [[Banana Republic]], [[Bath & Body Works]], [[Cellairis]], [[Dermalogica]], [[Dillard's]], [[DSW, Inc.|DSW]], Earth and Sky Creations, Express, The Eye Gallery, Fab'rik, Francesca's, [[Gap Inc.|Gap]], [[H&M]], [[Icing (store)|Icing]], [[IKEA]], [[IT'SUGAR]], [[JoS. A. Bank Clothiers|Jos A. Bank]], Journey's, Kate's, Kinnucan's, [[LA Fitness]], Loft, Lush Nail Bar, [[Old Navy]], [[Publix]], [[Regal Cinemas]], [[Target Corporation|Target]], Tervis, [[Victoria's Secret]], West Elm, and [[Z Gallerie]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlanticstation.com/shop/ |title=Shopping in Atlanta |publisher=Atlantic Station |access-date=2018-04-16}}</ref>

==Restaurants==
Current restaurant tenants include Atlantic Grill, BGR The Burger Joint, [[California Pizza Kitchen]], Bantam & Biddy, [[Great American Cookies]], [[Kilwins]] Chocolates & Ice Cream, NaanStop, The Pig & the Pearl, [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]], Yard House, Salata, Gyu Kaku, Poke Bar, Envegan, and Allora.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlanticstation.com/dine/ |title=Atlanta Restaurants - Dining at Atlantic Station |publisher=Atlanticstation.com |access-date=2018-04-16}}</ref>

==Attractions==
The Premier Exhibition Center at Atlantic Station is currently home to the exhibit ''[[Bodies: The Exhibition]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premierexhibitions.com/exhibitions/4/48/bodies-exhibition/bodies-exhibition-atlanta |title=Brochure |website=www.premierexhibitions.com}}</ref>

Atlantic Station is home the [[Atlanta Open (tennis)|Atlanta Open]] men's tennis tournament every summer. The event is an [[ATP 250]]-level tournament.

==Millennium Gate==
{{Main|Millennium Gate}}
[[Image:Millennium Gate Atlanta.jpg|thumb|Millennium Gate]]
Adjacent to the Commons pond is the [[Millennium Gate]], an $18 million arch intended to celebrate peaceful accomplishment, with special attention paid to Georgia's rich history and people. The Millennium Gate opened July 4, 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/06/14/millennium_gate.html |title=Man helps create giant arch monument for Atlantic Station |work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |date=2008-06-15 |access-date=2008-09-25 |archive-date=December 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205085220/http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/06/14/millennium_gate.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of 2008, it is the largest classical monument to have been dedicated since completion of the [[Jefferson Memorial]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenmf.org/info.htm |title=The National Monuments Foundation |access-date=2009-01-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126012549/http://www.thenmf.org/info.htm |archive-date=2009-01-26 }}</ref> Hugh Petter of ADAM Architecture was commissioned by the [[National Monuments Foundation]] to work alongside National Monuments director, Rodney Cook Jr., to develop the initial concepts into the final architectural design. The design is embellished with a sculptural allegory by [[Alexander Stoddart]], telling the story of peaceful accomplishment over the last 2000 years.

It houses {{convert|12000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} of gallery space, featuring traditional and modern exhibits. Collections of artifacts and family histories contribute to exhibits showcasing the pioneering and philanthropic spirit behind the development of Atlanta. Other exhibits include a recreation of the 1928 Rhodes-Robinson House foyer located on West Paces Ferry Road and a recreation of Thomas K. Glenn's office. Mr. Glenn, the late chairman of [[SunTrust Banks|Trust Company]] bank, in the 1930s ran Atlantic Steel, previous owner of the land that is now Atlantic Station. Glenn's family is among the project's supporters.

The Millennium Gate has been greeted with puzzlement regarding its purpose, and it has been criticized by Modernists for its historic references. To this, New York sculptor George Kelly responds that "People are more drawn to tradition. It's the scale of it, it's the warmth of it. The word is beauty." Because of its proximity to the [[IKEA]] furniture store, some observers have given it the nickname "Arc d’Ikea."<ref>Patrik Jonsson, [http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2008/0707/p03s03-ussc.html 'Arc d'Atlanta' ... or a new bit of kitsch?], ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'', July 7, 2008</ref><ref>Shaila Dewan, [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/us/30arch.html An Elaborate Arch, an Opaque Significance], ''[[The New York Times]]'', April 30, 2009, page A16 of the New York edition.</ref>

The Gate's exhibits are open to the public. The rooftop [[penthouse apartment|penthouse]], Foyer gallery, and Oval Lawn are available for weddings, conferences, and other events by booking only. The Millennium Gate also serves as a [[museum]], but is only open to the public by appointment.

==Transportation==
The primary roadway access to and through Atlantic Station is an extension of 17th Street constructed by the developers. As part of the project, the [[Georgia Department of Transportation]] erected the yellow 17th Street bridge over the I-75/85 [[Downtown Connector]] expressway that separated Atlantic Station and the [[Home Park (Atlanta)|Home Park]] residential neighborhood from the rest of Midtown.
[[File:Atlantic Station courtyard.jpg|thumb|right|The courtyard of Atlantic Station's town center]]
Controversy developed at the time of construction not only because of the bridge's unusual yellow color, but also for GDOT's insistence that the bridge and street meet suburban highway standards. Indeed, the bridge is eight lanes wide, and the enormous right-of-way afforded to 17th Street east of the bridge lacks street parking and utilizes an unusual arrangement of placing street trees and lamps at the edge of the adjacent buildings' property lines instead of against the street. Motorcycles are not allowed. The section of the Street west of the bridge consists of four through-lanes of traffic, in addition to a [[bus lane]], [[bike lane]], and turning lanes in each direction, also lacking street parking.

Access to public transportation is provided via a free shuttle that runs every 5–15 minutes to the [[Arts Center station (MARTA)|Arts Center]] [[Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority|MARTA]] rail station and MARTA bus routes 37 and 94 which also serves the Arts Center Station pass through Atlantic station. GRTA Xpress buses have am and pm drop off and pick up spots as well as Cobb Linc bus make stop only outbound to art center. A railroad line runs along the northern border, but passenger service on the [[Crescent (Amtrak)]] is available only at the [[Peachtree Station]] in Brookwood, one walking mile away. In April 2011, the city of Atlanta submitted a grant application seeking $22.5 million to relocate that station to the Atlantic Station community.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2011/04/historic-atl-amtrak-station-could-close.html|title=Historic Atl. Amtrak station could close|work=[[Atlanta Business Chronicle]]|date=2011-04-14|access-date=2011-04-14|first=Carla|last=Caldwell}}</ref> Shuttle service is also provided by Lanier Parking Solutions, for [[Georgia Tech]] students in the student apartments, the Flats.

Despite the pedestrian-friendly arrangement of much of the eastern section of the project, parking is inexpensive (first two hours of deck parking is free) and easily available in underground parking decks; indeed most visitors arrive by car.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Portal|Architecture}}
{{Commons category|Atlantic Station}}
*{{wikivoyage-inline|Atlanta/Atlantic Station|Atlantic Station}}
* {{Official website|http://www.atlanticstation.com}}
*[http://www.thegateatlanta.com Official Millennium Gate website]
{{coord|33.7925|N|84.3963|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=title}}

{{Atlanta neighborhoods}}
{{Atlanta landmarks}}
{{Atlanta shopping}}
{{Shopping malls in Georgia (U.S. state)}}

[[Category:Shopping malls in the Atlanta metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Neighborhoods in Atlanta]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Atlanta]]
[[Category:Mixed-use developments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:New Urbanism communities]]
[[Category:Edge cities in the Atlanta metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Ersatz downtowns]]