Phipps Plaza’s years-long efforts toward becoming a hub of luxury mixed-uses, and less a standard big-box anchored mall, are expected to reach a significant milestone next week.

After breaking ground back in 2018, the office component of Phipps Plaza’s multi-pronged development where department store Belk used to stand is scheduled to host a topping-out ceremony April 13, project officials announced today.

The 13-story, LEED-certified Class A office building, called One Phipps Plaza, includes 365,200 square feet and enough post-pandemic features (think: outdoor greenspace) to be described as “the workplace of the future.”

Construction progress in January at Phipps Plaza. Courtesy of Simon Property Group

Aluminum recycling and rolling company Novelis, the first occupant, has naming rights to the building and plans to brand the top floor with signage.

Novelis expects to open a new 90,000-square-foot global and North American corporate headquarters in One Phipps Plaza this fall.

The company’s office plans are “designed to meet the highest standards in sustainability, environmental quality, and energy efficiencies,” according to project reps. 

The 13-story, 365,000-square-foot One Phipps Plaza office building. Courtesy of Simon Property Group

Overall, the Phipps Plaza makeover is aiming to be Buckhead’s next buzzy destination for living, working, dining, and shopping in the affluent subdistrict.   

According to mall owner Simon, the rest of the three-building expansion is on pace to open in 2022 as well.

Overview of the multi-pronged redevelopment, which also includes a new five-level, 800-space parking deck. Courtesy of Simon Property Group

The Nobu Hotel and Restaurant portion, the brand’s first foray into Atlanta, will include a 150-room hotel with a rooftop pool, spa, and conference space, plus the 10,000-square-foot Nobu Atlanta Restaurant, which will dish Japanese cuisine described as iconic.   

Other new buildings will feature Life Time Athletic—billed as a fitness resort with the company’s first rooftop beach club in Atlanta—and Life Time Work, a 25,000-square-foot, membership-based office and workspace concept. (Members will also have access to the gym.)

The Phipps expansion also includes an upscale food concept called the Citizens Culinary Market.

That 24,000-square-foot facet, a collaboration between Simon and Sam Nazarian’s C3, will use a ghost kitchen model to offer sit-down dining and pick-up meals. Some of C3’s popular brands—Umami Burger, Krispy Rice, Sam’s Crispy Chicken, and others—are expected to sign on.

Other recent upgrades and developments at Phipps Plaza have included a modernized façade along Peachtree Road, the AC Hotel Atlanta Buckhead, and mid-rise luxury rentals The Domain at Phipps Plaza.

Recent Buckhead news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)