Iconic Former CNN Center Rebrands as 'The CTR' and Opens Massive Downtown Atlanta Food Hall

The historic former CNN Center is officially taking its first public step into a bold new era. Rebranded as The Center and stylized as The CTR, the iconic multi-tower downtown complex will open its doors to the public this Thursday, debuting an ambitious culinary marketplace designed to completely transform the neighborhood's dining scene.

The initial phase of the massive 425 million dollar property overhaul centers on CTR Food Works, a modernized food hall situated on the building's sprawling first-floor atrium. Curated to move away from traditional, mall-style fast food, the market features 11 distinct, chef-driven dining concepts. Several stalls are set to begin operating immediately, with the remaining vendors scheduled to launch in the coming weeks ahead of the highly anticipated summer soccer matches coming to the city.

The culinary lineup highlights several prominent national and local chefs. Southern Belle Chicken Co., a Southern-inspired concept, is spearheaded by Michelin-recognized chef Joey Ward. Renowned Michelin-star chef Stephen Ferdinand is launching two distinct spaces inside the hall: Flora d'Italia, featuring house-made fresh pastas and daily pizzas, alongside Dessert Box, an artisanal bakery and dessert studio.

Other foundational concepts inside the food hall include authentic Szechuan-inspired specialties from The Sparrow Group, small-batch ice cream from local staple Morelli's, and regional Latin, Cuban, and Puerto Rican dishes from La Tropical. Seafood lovers will find coastal options at Fuzzy's, which features fresh lobster rolls and baked oysters, while culinary personality Andrew Zimmern is collaborating with operator Robert Montwaid to launch a premium burger and hot dog stand called Patty and Frank's. Authentic Mexican street food will be served at Mimi Taqueria, with two additional food concepts yet to be officially announced.

Anchoring the entire central dining space is the CTR bar, an expansive 2,800-square-foot beverage program led by hospitality expert Tiffany Howell. Boasting 11 distinct bartending stations and seating for roughly 60 patrons, developers state the establishment officially stands as the single largest bar in the state of Georgia. The drink program will highlight an array of seasonal, event-driven craft cocktails alongside a curated list of fine wines, regional craft beers, and premium zero-proof options.

CP Group Founding Partner Chris Eachus stated that the overarching goal of the sweeping project is to create an emotional, family-friendly destination that actively reflects Atlanta's vibrant arts, culture, and culinary identities. By retrofitting the massive mid-rise space, developers envision the landmark complex serving as a unified living room for downtown visitors, convention attendees, and sports fans visiting nearby Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena.

While the food hall serves as the immediate centerpiece, the long-term vision for the million-square-foot property is highly expansive. In subsequent phases, developers plan to systematically renovate the remaining floors and upper towers, converting massive pockets of former media office space into multi-family residential apartments, boutique hotel accommodations, retail spaces, and creative production studios. To solidify the physical transformation, the massive, iconic red CNN letters that previously welcomed visitors out front have been removed and replaced with a giant, modern ATL structure, preserving the high-traffic corner as a premier photo destination for locals and tourists alike.

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