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Renderings show planned new look of Underground Atlanta

The designer states that this rendering shows “the Exchange Building, formerly the food court, will be reimagined as a series of smaller buildings, that are more in keeping with the scale and context of Underground Atlanta and Alabama Street.” Source: S9 Architecture.
The designer states that this rendering shows “the Exchange Building, formerly the food court, will be reimagined as a series of smaller buildings, that are more in keeping with the scale and context of Underground Atlanta and Alabama Street.” Source: S9 Architecture.
By Scott Trubey
Feb 15, 2018

The team behind the redevelopment of Underground Atlanta released new concept renderings for part of the project.

The renderings released by WRS show plans for the new Kenny’s Alley, the mall’s former food court and Alabama Street, which are current under construction. The rendering are of what is known as Block 3 of the development.

The designer, S9 Architecture, said the new Kenny’s Alley features “a new ‘front door’ connection to Central Avenue. The breezeway will be demolished and replaced by a large, central stair that can be used for programmed events, casual seating, and outdoor dining.” The alley also will feature new restaurants and The Masquerade. Source: S9 Architecture
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South Carolina-based WRS acquired the downtown mall in last March with plans to build a $300 million blend of apartments, student housing and retail.

RELIVE ATLANTA’S HISTORY

The renderings by S9 Architecture show the Exchange Building, the mall’s former food court, as smaller buildings surrounding an open-air plaza. The new Kenny’s Alley will connect with Central Avenue and feature new restaurants and the permanent Masquerade nightclub space. Alabama Street, meanwhile, will feature on-street parking and light traffic, the designers said, to “de-mall” the space.

Alabama Street will be “de-malled” with light traffic and on-street parking. Source: S9 Architecture
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In November 2016, the Masquerade nightclub moved to Underground as a temporarily location, but that became permanent under a long-term lease.

In October, WRS announced its design concept of splitting Underground into four blocks to be built in four phases:

  • Block 1, at the northwest corner of Pryor and Upper Alabama streets, includes a hotel, office space, retail and housing and is planned as the final of the four blocks to be redeveloped.
  • Block 2, on the adjacent northeast corner, is planned for student housing with street front retail.
  • Block 3, the current portion under development at Central Avenue and Alabama Street, includes the Masquerade, co-working office space and retail.
  • Block 4 will include additional retail.

VIDEO: Previous coverage on this issue

Channel 2's Dave Huddleston got an exclusive interview with Mayor Kasim Reed about the sale.

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