Tech entrepreneur David Cummings is revitalizing 56 buildings, 10 continuous blocks, and one million square feet into a second location of Atlanta Tech Village in historic South Downtown. His team includes April Stammel and architect Lucas Roberts. Located north of Interstate-20, east of Castleberry Hill, south of Five Points, and west of Interstate 75/85, the area encompassing the South Downtown development thrived over 150 years ago.
During the 1870s, shoppers found groceries, textiles, and general merchandise at M. Rich and Brothers and Company; Chamberlin-Johnson-DuBose Company; and other department stores in this section of the city. M. Rich and Brothers and Company moved into a larger four-story building on the now Peachtree Street in 1907 designed by Atlanta architectural firm Bruce & Morgan before a final move at the corner of Broad and Alabama Streets in 1924. Five and dime stores in the area, such as McCrory’s, S. H. Kress, and Woolworth’s, offered affordable prices for household goods.
Completion of the Atlanta Terminal Station in 1905 prompted the construction of six 3-4 story high commercial buildings on Mitchell Street called Hotel Row. Atlanta architects Bruce & Morgan, Willis F. Denny, and George W. Laine designed these brick buildings with retail spaces on the ground level to house railroad workers and their guests near the now demolished train station. The buildings along Hotel Row represented early 20th century commercial structures that were once common in Atlanta, but have now been demolished due to redevelopment.
To the east of Hotel Row, Atlanta flocked to the city’s first market on the renamed Broad Street in the 1910s. The Sunday, October 27, 1912 edition of Atlanta Constitution described Broad Street as “the most romantic spots in Atlanta.” Produce at the Broad Street market came from every state in the Union, as well as from Europe, Central America, South America, and Cuba. The iconic Miller’s Rexall Pharmacy opened on Broad Street in 1967 before moving to Decatur.
Roberts points out, “We envision this development as a startup community with local companies, retailers, and eateries that wish to stay in South Downtown throughout their growth.” Atlanta-based coffee company Spiller Park Coffee has opened a location in the historic Sylvan Hotel along Hotel Row. Spiller Park visitors see the words “Imperial Café” inlaid in the historic ceramic floor tile of the shop, a reference to a one-time building tenant. New features, such counters and lighting, blend seamlessly into the historic surroundings.
The South Downtown team is excited about their work revitalizing Atlanta’s historic center. April Stammel leads free tours at the development. She notes, “There is no better way to introduce South Downtown to the public than through tours. We are helping people to enjoy the history, stories, and journey of this project.”
For more information about the South Downtown development, tune into the Uplifting Places podcast hosted by Melody Harclerode below.