by Dan Gottlieb
If you haven't visited downtown Atlanta recently, then you're in for a surprise! The excitement of an urban renaissance has taken hold in our fair city. A new sports complex, an ever-expanding Georgia State University, new restaurants, and renovation of the Fairlie Poplar historic district have all lent to the rebirth of a downtown that once rolled up its streets at dusk.
Say good bye to the days when office workers fled for the perimeter by 5 o'clock. Tired of the deathly commute, tired of exhaust fumes congealed by the summer swelter, Atlantans are rediscovering the concept of intown living, breathing new life into a city that was once left to the pigeons. Thirtysomethings and empty-nesters alike are moving downtown in record numbers. In fact, recent statistics show that downtown Atlanta boasts one of the highest residential growth rates in the country. Furthermore, according to a 1999 study by Haddow and Company, downtown's new homeowners are increasingly well-educated, high earning professionals.
Developers have taken note of this explosive demand for downtown housing, and have followed suit with a broad array of new loft and condominium projects in nearly every one of downtown's distinct neighborhoods, from Fairlie Poplar to the Marietta Street Corridor to Castleberry Hill. As recently as 1996, there was only a handful of residential projects downtown; today there are dozens, ranging in price from just under $100,000 to nearly $1 million.
Developers have reclaimed dilapidated historic buildings and refashioned them into stunning models of urban luxury, focusing their efforts on retrofitting old warehouses for habitation, creating multi-level lofts that retain their original charms, such as heart pine floors and structural beams.
Downtown isn't lacking for new construction either. Trillium Management is nearly finished with construction of 123 Luckie Street Lofts, and Legacy Property Group is currently pre-selling Centennial Park West, a high rise condominium project that will offer home owners a full-time concierge, maid service, and even room service from neighboring Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Incredible as it may seem, the sizzling downtown housing market has even led Aderhold Properties to consider constructing a high-end loft condominium project on Alabama Street, directly over Underground Atlanta, the entertainment and shopping complex situated in the original 'ground zero' of historic Atlanta.
The migration back to downtown, however, comes with some challenges to Atlanta's urban pioneers. Atlanta's not like New York, Boston or Chicago: the long absence of residential occupants downtown has left our city with relatively few grocery stores, gas stations, and other amenities of urban life. Fortunately, these problems are not insurmountable. As the resident population of downtown grows, so will the number of businesses targeted to the community.
Already, a few visionary businesses have opened their doors. In June of 1996, Kroger opened the first downtown grocery store across from City Hall, and they are currently exploring the possibility of opening another store in the Georgia Tech area. Only last month, Fairlie Poplar Café--a superb Moroccan influenced restaurant owned by the proprietor of the Imperial Fez--began serving dinner Wednesdays through Saturdays, to serve the needs of downtown residents.
Restaurants and grocery stores are not the only businesses that make a successful and vibrant downtown. Without doubt, theaters and art galleries are central to creating a city's cultural identity. Though downtown still has a long way to go, the arts community is finding its way here. The Theatrical Outfit is downtown's first and only resident live theatre, performing at Georgia State University's Rialto Theater. Fairlie Poplar ArtWorks, located on the corner of Luckie and Cone Streets, is the first working gallery to offer an on-going series of arts and crafts classes. Other art galleries downtown include the High Museum's Folk Art and Photography Galleries, Arts For All Gallery, the Youth Art Connection, and the Atlanta International Museum. Downtown also boasts the city's only major arts festival, ArtScape--held the second weekend of October in Woodruff Park.
Atlantans and visitors alike should hop on MARTA and come see the great things that are happening in their own backyard. We can be proud to live in a city committed to rebuilding its downtown, a city that knows the historic and cultural value inherent in having an active and viable urban center--a downtown that is an increasingly exciting place to work, play and live.
Dan Gottlieb works for Central Atlanta Progress
