Story by ADRIANNE MURCHISON/Photos by JASON GETZ
Sandy Springs has been shaking things up as of late. Northbound drives along Roswell Road, we’ll dare say, reveal a skyline.
Luxury apartments have popped up and more are under construction. New restaurants have opened along the busy thoroughfare. And City Springs, a 14-acre mixed-use development, has emerged as the heartbeat of the city.
The complex is home to City Hall offices, a new performing arts center that features musicals and premier music artists, and the new Aston City Springs apartments.
The surrounding City Green grounds is its own attraction for afternoon picnics, concerts on the green, “Shakespeare in the Park,” the annual Food that Rocks tasting event and Heritage Sandy Springs Farmers Market held Saturdays, April through October.
In addition, a rotating sculpture exhibit will include eight to 10 pieces of art on the four-acre City Green.
Passersby see interactive fountains for children to play in. Some of them glow in colored lights at night.
“I grew up here. To watch it come together is pretty cool. You can sit here and have lunch or walk around.”
Sharon Kraun, Sandy Springs communication director
The overall vision started with community input during a series of charrettes in 2012. Still to come are restaurants and fitness boutiques opening by the fall. Eateries include Nam Kitchen, Café Vendome, Flower Child and The Select. They will be joined by SculptHouse, Turn Studio and Vida-Flo.
Only six years ago, a Target and Goodwill resided where City Springs is now located. “And there were more iterations before Target was there,” Kraun adds.
Most people think of City Hall as a place to take care of personal business or attend a town meeting. It’s not usually a place that people are drawn to for pleasure, Kraun says. “What we are doing is creating a community center, because we want you to come here,” she says. “And we are trying to bring the amenities that the community wanted together. The building has a day and a night function to it.”
City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs. 770-730-5600. citysprings.com
INSIDER TIPS
CityBar, a full-service bar with a patio located between City Hall’s main lobby and the performing arts center, will likely be a popular meeting point for friends and acquaintances.
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