14 Jul 2015
2015
Porsche Driving Experience – Opened June 2015
Atlanta is the new home for Porsche's North American headquarters and North America's first Customer and Driver Experience Center. The 27.4-acre complex will feature a world-class test track for one-on-one instruction, off-road courses, a human performance training facility, driving simulator center, business center and two on-site fine dining options, Restaurant 356 and Carrera Café.
Scaly, Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience at Zoo Atlanta – Opened April 2015
This spring, Zoo Atlanta debuted their brand new Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience. The $18-million complex, which occupies roughly 111,000 square feet in a previously behind-the-scenes area, incorporates some 9,700 square feet of handcrafted rockwork; 60,000 gallons of water; and a 45-foot glass dome. The exhibits are home to more than 60 animal species, many of them new to Zoo Atlanta, including rare Cuban crocodiles.
Ponce City Market – Openings throughout 2015
Situated along the nationally acclaimed Atlanta BeltLine, Ponce City Market is poised to become the hub between Atlanta's most popular in-town neighborhoods. Housed in the fully renovated 1925 Sears, Roebuck & Company building, the largest brick building in the Southeast, this urban market will feature a central food hall, leading retail brands, living and working spaces. Dining and retail openings are scheduled throughout 2015.
Krog Street Market - Openings throughout 2015
Krog Street Market (KSM) is Atlanta's newest mecca for foodies. Located in the historic neighborhood of Inman Park, KSM is housed in a renovated 1920s warehouse and features market stalls that sell fresh meats, seafood and baked goods, alongside Southern-grown restaurants.
Center for Puppetry Arts Expansion – Fall 2015
The Center for Puppetry Arts began constructing a 21,250-square-foot addition to the museum in late 2014. Set to open in Fall 2015, the new museum space will feature expanded exhibit areas for both the Global Collection and the Jim Henson Collection. The expansion will bring the Center's world-renowned collection and the largest collection of Henson's art to a wider audience, and will continue to make the Center a one-of-a-kind experience within the world of puppetry.
Hyatt House Atlanta Downtown – Fall 2015
Construction is underway on a new $25 million Hyatt House hotel in Downtown Atlanta near the Georgia Aquarium. The 150-room hotel is located on Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard and Luckie Street. It will be Georgia's second Hyatt House, an extended-stay brand from Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.
Hotel Indigo Downtown – Fall 2015
A new Hotel Indigo is planned for one of Downtown Atlanta's first office buildings, 230 Peachtree St. The $60-million project will convert the first nine floors of 230 Peachtree into a 200-room Hotel Indigo. The hotel will sit near the Atlanta Streetcar route and will also connect to AmericasMart Atlanta. It will be Atlanta's third Hotel Indigo, a lifestyle brand from InterContinental Hotels Group.
2016
Noble Investment Group and Simon Malls have partnered to bring the first AC Hotel by Marriott to Atlanta. The AC Hotel Buckhead will be located adjacent to Phipps Plaza and is scheduled to open early 2016
Hilton Worldwide is planning to expand its Home2 Suites by Hilton Brand to Downtown Atlanta.
Marriott is planning to expand its SpringHill Suites by Marriott brand into Downtown Atlanta. The new hotel will be located across from Pemberton Place.
2017
SunTrust Park (Atlanta Braves Stadium)
Beginning with the 2017 baseball season, the Atlanta Braves will play at SunTrust Park, the new ballpark and mixed-use development just 10 miles north of Downtown Atlanta. The open-air stadium will seat approximately 41,500 people and the intimate seating configuration will places more fans closer to the field than any other ballpark in Major League Baseball. A $400-million entertainment complex will surround the stadium and include more than 700,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, residential, hotel and office space.
Atlanta Major League Soccer (MLS) Team: Atlanta United FC
Atlanta will become the 22nd team in the MLS franchise in 2017. Atlanta United FC will begin play in 2017 in the $1.2 billion new Atlanta stadium.
The $1.2 billion retractable-roof stadium is scheduled to open in time for the 2017 MLS and NFL season. Located just south of the current Georgia Dome, the new Atlanta stadium will serve as the home of the Atlanta Falcons in addition to other convention, entertainment and sporting events. The project is expected to generate more than $130 million in economic impact for the city and add 70 to 80 events to Atlanta's meetings portfolio. The venue will help the city attract marquee events like the 2020 Final Four, Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup and College Football Playoff Semifinals, which would have a combined potential to generate more than $300 million in economic impact.
Atlanta-based Legacy Properties Group, LLC, is planning to build a 129-key Homewood Suites by Hilton. The all-suites hotel will sit along Marietta Street near Centennial Olympic Park in the Luckie Marietta District.
North Point Hospitality Group Inc. has proposed a 152-room Hampton Inn & Suites at West Peachtree and 15th streets, near the MARTA Arts Center Station in Midtown.
On the Horizon
Atlanta History Center: Cyclorama Annex – Begins construction mid-2015
The Atlanta Cyclorama will relocate to a custom-built annex at the Atlanta History Center. The 23,000-square-foot addition is planned for the northeast corner of the campus. The History Center intends to restore the painting to its full size and overall height, resulting in a total of 3,268 square feet. Construction on the annex is expected to begin summer 2015.
Zoo Atlanta African Savanna Exhibit
After Cyclorama relocates to the Atlanta History Center, the building will be transferred to neighboring attraction, Zoo Atlanta. The building will be developed into a unique event and community space that will overlook the Zoo's African savanna exhibit. Once the renovations are complete, the zoo will feature a new entryway plaza and a state-of-the art African elephant exhibit.
The Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) is planning to build a high-end convention hotel, across from Building C of the GWCC. The proposed hotel is planned to be a 800-to-1,000-room, high-rise, four-star hotel.
Opened in 2014
Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail Gateway
The Eastside Trail Gateway, between the Eastside Trail and Historic Fourth Ward Park, gives visitors easy access to the 12 acres of greenspace, scenic two-acre lake, and the modern playground and splash pad at Historic Fourth Ward Park. The Atlanta BeltLine is considered one of the nation's largest sustainable redevelopment projects that, when all phases are complete, will provide a network of public parks, multi-use trails and transit along a historic 22-mile railroad corridor that connects 45 intown neighborhoods.
The Atlanta Streetcar project provides visitors with a convenient way to travel along Downtown Atlanta's tourism district. The streetcar forms a 2.7-mile loop with stops at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, Downtown Atlanta hotels, Centennial Olympic Park and Edgewood Avenue, among others.
Buckhead Atlanta combines the walkable, tree-lined streets of Paris with the haute shops of Rodeo Drive. This ultimate street-scene is comprised of six city blocks that fit seamlessly into the existing neighborhood, often referred to as “Beverly Hills of the East.” Buckhead Atlanta's multitude of stores are the epitome of luxury. Choose from Hermès, Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Bonobos and Canali, among many others. Dine at first-to-market restaurant concepts like American Food and Beverage, Gypsy Kitchen and The Southern Gentleman.
Center for Civil and Human Rights
Through interactive exhibits, historical artifacts and strong imagery, The Center serves as a catalyst for civil and human rights conversation. Located next to the World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium, The Center's theatrical and high-tech exhibits use motion, sights and sounds to immerse visitors in the American civil rights movement. Touch screen video panels bring visitors face-to-face with human rights activists from around the world.
The Delta Flight Museum features interactive exhibits about the past, present and future of Delta Air Lines and air travel. It also includes rare aviation items and aircrafts, including the Waco 125, the only remaining aircraft of its kind, and the only full-motion flight simulator open to the public – the same one used to train Delta pilots. Stand beneath the wings of The Spirit of Delta, Delta's first Boeing 767, gifted to Delta Airlines in 1982 from donations raised by employees, retirees and friends of the airline.
The College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience
The College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience joined the world-class attractions surrounding Centennial Olympic Park in 2014. The massive facility is a state-of-the-art shrine for college football fans, with interactive exhibits that entertain even the non-fan visitor. Tickets carry visitor-specific data that link to various exhibits to display content about each visitor's college football team. Guests can experience football games from the 50-yard-line using 360-degree viewers. The ultra-high definition Game Day Theatre immerses fans in Saturday game-day pageantry with a panoramic projection display.
The Aloft Atlanta Downtown opened after a $25-million renovation to the former Days Inn Atlanta Downtown. The first Starwood property of its kind in Georgia, the Aloft caters to 'the next generation of travelers' with urban design and innovative technology. The Aloft provides guests with a unique downtown hotel option within walking distance of Atlanta's world-class attractions and restaurants. The 3.1-acre property features 254 rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, bar and 2,000 square feet of meeting space.
Established in 1913, ACVB is a private, nonprofit organization created to favorably impact the Atlanta economy through conventions and tourism.
