Key Points:
- The CTR hosted a launch party on May 20 to mark its opening and the rebranding of the former CNN Center in downtown Atlanta.
- The CTR’s atrium will house a food hall backed by the operator of Chattahoochee Food Works with 11 stalls, one full-service restaurant, and Georgia’s “largest bar.”
- An official FIFA merchandise shop is also located in the atrium.
- RELATED on Rough Draft: Inside CTR Culture Studios: A reimagined space for Atlanta’s artists
At the literal push of a button on May 20, the revamped atrium at the former CNN Center in downtown Atlanta opened as The CTR. A public grand opening will take place in June, ahead of the World Cup in Atlanta.
City officials, including Mayor Andre Dickens, and The CTR developer CP Partners hosted a launch party for media and invited guests that included presentations, DJs, drinks from the new atrium bar, and self-guided tours of the FIFA merch shop and CTR Food Works. Stalls at the food hall, backed by Robert Montwaid of Chattahoochee Food Works, will begin opening in June.
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The CTR Food Works will include a mix of local and nationally recognized chefs.
- Southern Belle Chicken Co.: Chicken dishes from Atlanta chef Joey Ward of Southern Belle and Georgia Boy.
- Flora d’Italia: Italian dishes, pastas, and pizza from Michelin-recognized chef Steven Ferdinand.
- Dessert Box: Bakery and desserts, also backed by Ferdinand.
- The Sparrow: Szechuan Chinese, backed by team from The Sparrow in Midtown.
- Morelli’s Ice Cream: Locally owned ice cream brand.
- La Tropical: Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Latin cuisine.
- Fuzzy’s: Lobster rolls, ceviches, oysters.
- Patty and Frank’s: Burgers and hot dogs, backed by Montwaid with Chef Andrew Zimmern. Original location at Chattahoochee Food Works.
- Mimi Taqueria: Tacos, Mexican street food.
- Yet-named cheesesteak stall
- CTR Bar: Georgia’s “largest bar,” led by Tiffany Howell, expect wine, beer, and cocktails.
The atrium will also feature steak and seafood restaurant Mastro’s Ocean Club.
Over at the neighboring FIFA shop, people will find branded t-shirts and jerseys, hats, pins, scarves, and other merchandise like stadium-friendly clear bags and key chains.
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• Ted Turner’s legacy: Empowering journalists worldwide
ATL Culture House, an arts initiative led by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, will move into the atrium ahead of the World Cup next month.
Down the road, plans for The CTR call for converting former hotel rooms to affordable apartments, which could provide housing for Downtown’s growing service industry workforce.
The building at 190 Marietta St., with its 14-story atrium, has been many things over the years. It once housed a hockey arena and was home to Burt Reynolds’ 1970s nightclub. In 1985, Ted Turner claimed it for CNN, where the 24-hour news channel remained headquartered until 2024.
