Seasoned Atlanta development watchers will recall all the hullaballoo when North American Properties promised to peel the top off Colony Square’s dated food court and infuse the 50-year-old property with open-air gathering spaces, food options galore, artistic flourishes, and revived offices. A Twitter campaign seeking public input—and no shortage of flashy promo images—weren’t far behind.
Nearly four years after ground broke at the landmark Midtown property considered the Southeast’s original mixed-use development, construction officials are declaring the $400-million rebirth complete.
Buildouts will continue throughout the year for some restaurant spaces. But otherwise Hoar Construction is finished with a redevelopment that included 940,000 square feet of Class A office space—both new and refurbished—and 160,000 square feet for retail, restaurants, and entertainment, officials announced today.
Colony Square’s revival required the removal of 700 tons of recycled materials. More than 2,550 tons of new steel and 5,000 cubic yards of concrete were brought in.
The Colony Square central food court circa 2016. North American Properties
Communal seating beneath a large screen, and in front of a stage, at the main plaza today. Courtesy of Hoar Construction/Colony Square
Some 240,000 square feet of enclosed mall space was extracted, but otherwise all surrounding businesses remained open during construction at one of Atlanta’s busiest intersections, the corner of 14th and Peachtree streets, as Hoar officials noted.
The work saw two existing towers—Buildings 100 and 400—renovated.
Two others were constructed from the ground up: Building 200, with Georgia’s first IPIC Theater and the recently opened Politan Row food hall; plus Building 500 at 15th Street, which was claimed by law firm Jones Day.
The multilevel Grove gathering place along 14th Street. Courtesy of Hoar Construction/Colony Square
A lighted logo and towering murals by local artists at the renovated Building 400. Courtesy of Hoar Construction/Colony Square
Several more food concepts— Serena Pastificio, Holeman & Finch Public House, Rumi’s Kitchen, King of Pops, among others—are scheduled to open in coming months.
Come December 4, NAP expects to celebrate the project’s finished redevelopment with a new Midtown tradition: “The Lighting of Colony Square” (and its Christmas tree).
• Photos: How lighting additions are enlivening Midtown at night (Urbanize Atlanta)
