Atlanta’s Centennial Yards and South Downtown will mix walkability, tradition and leisure right into a revitalized core.
Downtown Atlanta is present process a metamorphosis that can current a reimagined expertise for assembly planners and enterprise vacationers.
Two bold redevelopment initiatives—Centennial Yards and South Downtown—are changing long-overlooked pockets of actual property into walkable, event-friendly locations that put genuine Atlanta entrance and middle. Situated simply steps from the Georgia World Congress Heart (GWCC), Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Area, assembly planners will uncover a extra seamless, immersive and memorable attendee expertise within the coming years.
“We’re giving Atlanta the downtown it deserves,” says Brian McGowan, president of Centennial Yards, a CIM Group firm. “To assist downtown develop and thrive, we’d like extra individuals dwelling within the space. This may make it extra vibrant, protected and interesting.”
“Prior to those redevelopment initiatives, the areas round Centennial Yards and South Downtown actually lacked monetary funding,” says Charlene Lopez, government vp and chief gross sales officer at Atlanta Conference & Guests Bureau (ACVB). “You had this wonderful, walkable championship campus proper subsequent to a big parcel of land that was simply ripe for residential, retail, all of the wonderful belongings you need within the coronary heart of your metropolis.”
What’s Coming to Downtown Atlanta
Centennial Yards
Centennial Yards, previously often called “the Gulch,” is being reworked into an eight million-square-foot mixed-use district that features 3,000 flats, 1,500-1,800 lodge rooms, 900,000 sq. ft of retail and restaurant area and a 5,000-seat music venue, plus a spread of companies together with Cosm, a digital fan zone designed for game-day gatherings with immersive sports activities experiences, slated to open in 2026, simply in time for the World Cup.
“We began work on the leisure district and completed the construction of our first residential constructing, The Mitchell, in addition to our first lodge, Lodge Phoenix, each set to open in fall 2025,” says McGowan. “The transformation is going on proper now, and we will’t wait for everybody to expertise our imaginative and prescient coming to life.”
South Downtown
Simply throughout the tracks, South Downtown affords a extra historic and hyperlocal expertise. Spearheaded by entrepreneur David Cummings, the venture focuses on revitalizing historic buildings in a 10-block grid that was Atlanta’s authentic downtown.
“This neighborhood has been pretty ignored and forgotten for many years,” says April Stammel, director of leasing and advertising and marketing at South Downtown Atlanta. “We’ve received main civil rights moments that occurred in our yard, some in our buildings. There’s historical past right here, and we wish to assist these tales be instructed.”
Learn Extra: Atlanta Venues Provide Historic and Cultural Experiences
Two Distinct Flavors of Downtown
The distinction between Centennial Yards and South Downtown offers planners two extremely complementary experiences to decide on between—or mix for a last itinerary with the very best of each worlds.
Centennial Yards is all about scale, spectacle and proximity to giant occasions. “A few of our largest conferences and conventions happen proper there in downtown,” Lopez says. “Planners can stroll proper exterior the doorways of the Georgia World Congress Heart and have the ability to go to Cosm, seize a drink at a rooftop bar, or loosen up within the 5,000-person plaza we’re creating.”
Designed with main gatherings just like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Tremendous Bowl in thoughts, the district delivers new high-capacity areas for activation, networking and leisure all inside strolling distance of key venues and lodges.
South Downtown, however, leans into Atlanta’s native persona. “Our staff is hyperlocal, and we attempt to use ourselves as linchpins to say, ‘What would it not take for me to deliver my daughters down right here? The place would we scooter? Might I deliver the canine? The place would I get a beer and have a protected area for them to play?’” Stammel mentioned.
The neighborhood is already house to an outpost of Atlanta Tech Village, a Thai restaurant, a espresso store—Spiller Park Espresso, the place your creator herself received to style a scrumptious craft cappuccino (extremely advocate)—and shortly, a document retailer and bookstore. Smaller-scale buildings supply alternatives for planners to host speaker dinners, pop-ups, or cultural programming in areas that mirror Atlanta’s entrepreneurial power and artistic spirit.
Learn Extra: Notes From the Highway: Atlanta
“We’re not overstepping one another,” Stammel says of South Downtown and Centennial Yards. “We’re really taking part in rather well collectively and providing a various set of alternatives.” All of it comes right down to what experiences the customer desires to have. Why not strive a style of each?
Walkability and Wow Issue
A serious benefit of each initiatives is how simply attendees can discover on foot. Atlanta’s downtown has lengthy been a conference magnet, and these developments will solely amplify it, with extra choices to get a real sense of place and create memorable experiences.
“I feel it’s thrilling as a result of these developments are staying true to Atlanta,” Lopez says. “They’re giving attendees new locations to discover and creating one-of-a-kind experiences. And the very best half is, it’s all proper downtown.”
For planners, which means no must coordinate transportation between classes and social outings. All the pieces from off-site receptions to post-meeting hangouts can now happen inside strolling distance of the conference middle.
“It’s simply great to know that we’re going to have the ability to showcase a real Atlanta expertise for these individuals who can’t transcend the campus,” Lopez added.
Each developments share a imaginative and prescient of constructing inclusive, community-rooted areas the place guests’ and locals’ paths naturally intersect.
McGowan says, “This isn’t nearly new buildings. It’s about making a vibrant, inclusive group that helps Atlanta proceed to develop economically, socially and culturally.”
What Planners Must Know
One of the simplest ways to reap the benefits of these adjustments? Begin planning now, and don’t do it alone.
The CVB is there that can assist you make it occur. “In case you are internet hosting a gathering, we’ve got a complete part dedicated to planners,” says Lopez. “Our gross sales staff will help you faucet into the complete potential of what’s coming downtown. And the very best half? It’s all free.”
As these initiatives proceed to progress, planners will see extra choices pop up in Centennial Yards and South Downtown. Now could be the time to control Atlanta if you wish to bear witness to this inspirational development.
The chance for planners is obvious: Atlanta’s downtown is now not only a assembly place. It’s more and more evolving into a spot to attach, discover and have fun every part town affords.
“Atlanta isn’t ready for the way forward for conferences,” Lopez says. “We’re constructing it.”
Learn Extra: Sensible Begin Radio: Past the Brochure—What CVBs Actually Do for Planners
