Key Points:
- Real estate developer CP Group will open 12 dining concepts, including a bar, in the atrium of the former CNN Center in May.
- Now called The Center, the complex will include CTR Food Works and Atlanta’s “largest” full bar.
- Restaurants will serve everything from steak and seafood to Italian, Mexican, and burgers.
Right on the heels of another big downtown Atlanta restaurant announcement over at the historic 207 Peachtree building, real estate developer CP Group dropped news that 12 new dining establishments would open at the former CNN Center in May.
Called The Center, CP Group partner Chris Eachus said reopening the CNN building to the public will return it to Atlantans and act as a welcoming gathering space meant for everyday use.
“For decades, this building functioned as a fortress. With the building opening back up to the city, we are reconnecting one of Atlanta’s landmarks with the people and energy of downtown . . . and bringing it back as a destination that’s welcoming, useful, and designed for every day, all-day use,” Eachus said in a prepared statement.
Part of the renovation currently underway at The Center includes the atrium. The 24,000-square-foot space will feature a food hall called CTR Food Works with 11 restaurants and Atlanta’s “largest” full bar. CP Group is working with Chattahoochee Food Works founder Robert Montwaid to develop the restaurant stalls for The Center’s food hall. All should open prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Atlanta this summer.
As of publication, the following seven restaurants are confirmed for CTR Food Works and The Center’s atrium:
- La Tropical (Latin American)
- Fuzzy’s (seafood)
- Patty & Frank’s (burgers and hot dogs from Andrew Zimmern and Pat LaFrieda)
- Mimi Taqueria (Mexican)
- Flora D’Italia (Italian, pizza)
- Dessert Box (bakery)
- Mastro’s Ocean Club (atrium anchor restaurant serving steak, seafood, cocktails)
CNN took over the Omni International Complex in 1987, becoming the global headquarters for the media company founded by Ted Turner. The 1.2 million-square-foot space connects to State Farm Arena and the Omni Hotel. CNN departed the building in 2024, relocating to Turner Techwood Campus in Midtown, not far from the original location of the 24-hour newsroom.
CP Group expects to open the renovated atrium at The Center in May, which will feature public art installations and arts and branding programming in partnership with ASHA Advisory, a community-focused arts and culture advisory board led by Neda Abghari and Bem Joiner, co-founder of Atlanta Influences Everything. Branding programming will include three digital LED signs spanning 12 stories along the exterior of The Center, offering local artists and creatives the opportunity to display their work to the public.
The Center already serves as Atlanta’s FIFA World Cup volunteer headquarters, and will eventually be home to ATL House, the Atlanta FIFA World Cup host committee’s private headquarters and event space.