Maybe it seems like yesterday Atlantic Station debuted on the ruins of a former steel mill, offering attractions like Usher’s The Grape, FOX Sports Grill, and a Guess? store.

But it’s been almost 16 years since that October 2005 ribbon-cutting. And the past year—despite a retail and office industry hobbled by the COVID-19 pandemic—has been particularly eventful for Atlanta’s largest mixed-use mega-build to ever sprout west of the Connector.

Now spanning nearly 3 million square feet across 138 acres, Atlantic Station has been heralded as one of the country’s largest brownfield redevelopments. It has its own zip code. And now, it also has a truly inviting green nucleus.

The expanded central greenspace, Atlantic Green, joined other additions that have included (or will soon include) Bowlero, HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern, Azotea Cantina, envegan, a Forever 21 flagship, the city’s first timber-built new offices, and Microsoft’s forthcoming Midtown jobs hub. (Conversely, the addition of a huge, shed-like basketball facility isn't permanent, we're told.) 

We toured on a recent sunny Saturday as street vendors greeted curious guests and other people just lazily hung out, as shown in the gallery above. 

Photos: Shed-like basketball facility has risen at Atlantic Station (Urbanize Atlanta)