107 stories · Inside The Perimeter, Atlanta
After years of development and testing, MARTA's cutting-edge CQ400 railcars officially enter revenue service, bringing what the agency calls 'the most technologically advanced trains in the U.S.' to Atlanta's rail network just weeks before the World Cup.
The Georgia Tech-born logistics company closes its Series F round backed by Strike Capital, Kleiner Perkins, and Founders Fund, cementing its position as a pillar of Atlanta's tech scene.
After leading the Yellow Jackets to a historic 48-9 regular season and ACC Tournament title, the former Atlanta-area product locks in through 2031.
Hundreds of Midtown residents have signed a Change.org petition demanding transparency and action at Dewberry Capital's long-stalled high-rise redevelopment, calling the stripped Campanile building 'unsafe' after years of inactivity.
A new opera exploring how artificial intelligence could help aging parents with dementia will have its world premiere during The Atlanta Opera's NOW Festival June 12-14.
Three Atlanta restaurants have closed their doors this month: Hero Doughnuts and How Crispy Express on Georgia Avenue in Summerhill, and Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ on Metropolitan Parkway. Meanwhile, South African chicken chain Nando's PERi-PERi is set to open its first ITP location inside Krog Street Market in June, replacing the former Bar Mercado space. A new global fusion concept, Spice Atlanta, has also opened in Midtown.
A flood watch covers much of north Georgia and metro Atlanta for Monday, with thunderstorms expected to bring 3-6 inches of rain. Some areas of Cherokee and Cobb counties saw 6 inches Sunday, and flooding already blocked portions of I-75.
The 49th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival kicked off Memorial Day weekend in Piedmont Park, with attendees refusing to let thunderstorms dampen the free three-day celebration of jazz and live music.
Georgia Tech and Georgia will both host NCAA baseball regionals starting Friday after dominating their conference tournaments. Tech won its first ACC title since 2014, while Georgia claimed its first-ever SEC championship.
MARTA released progress photos this week from its billion-dollar Station Rehabilitation Program, which is upgrading rail stations and facilities across the system. Several rail stations have already wrapped, with new flooring, new walls, better lighting, and deep cleanings. The work runs alongside the rollout of Breeze 2.0 fare gates and the NextGen Bus Network route redesign.
The Atlanta Jazz Festival, the city's free Memorial Day weekend tradition, returns to Piedmont Park this weekend with up to 300,000 visitors expected across three days. The festival is one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country and has been a Midtown anchor since the 1970s.
Torrential rain during Wednesday's rush hour turned parts of I-75/85 into a river, stranding vehicles and shutting down the Downtown Connector for over 90 minutes. A veteran waded through chest-deep water near Baker Street to rescue a woman clinging to the roof of her submerged car.
At least two Waymo autonomous vehicles drove into flooded streets during Wednesday's storms, prompting the company to temporarily suspend service. Video showed one driverless car attempting to navigate rising water on North Avenue.
Memorial Day weekend brings back two Atlanta favorites: the free Atlanta Jazz Festival returns to Piedmont Park, while MomoCon takes over the Georgia World Congress Center with anime, gaming, and pop culture programming.
Mirour, the Atlanta-based startup that built AI-powered virtual fitting rooms for fashion brands, is pivoting to serve brick-and-mortar retailers. The shift comes as the company seeks a more sustainable business model.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for eastern Fulton and west central DeKalb counties Wednesday evening. Rainfall rates reached 1-2 inches per 30 minutes, with localized totals potentially hitting 6 inches. The warning remains in effect until 11:15 p.m.
Chef Pat Pascarella is opening Rosso, an Italian American restaurant near 10th and Virginia, to accompany his speakeasy Bar Pilar. After closing Alici and Bastone, Pascarella says he is returning to the comfort food he actually eats at home.
The High Museum of Art opened 'Amy Sherald: American Sublime' on May 15, a mid-career retrospective of more than 35 paintings made between 2007 and 2024. It is the largest show of Sherald's work to date, and Atlanta is the last city on the tour. The exhibition's path to the High was anything but smooth, after its planned Washington run fell apart.
Henrique Braun, Coca-Cola's CEO of less than two months, hosted Gov. Brian Kemp and Mayor Andre Dickens at company headquarters on May 14 for the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour. The visit doubled as Braun's introduction to Atlanta and a chance to spotlight the city as a tournament host. He succeeds James Quincey, who led the company from 2017 until the end of March.
The Atlanta Jazz Festival returns to Piedmont Park this weekend for its 49th year, with three days of live performances across the city. The annual Memorial Day weekend tradition has grown into one of Atlanta's signature cultural events.
Robert Edward 'Ted' Turner III, the creator of CNN and a television pioneer who transformed Atlanta into a global media capital, has died at 87. The billionaire media mogul, former Braves owner, and philanthropist leaves behind a legacy that reshaped both the city and the world's relationship with news.
The Fox Theatre, saved from demolition in the 1970s by an Atlanta community campaign, is paying it forward with $1 million in grants to help restore historic theaters in Rome and Thomasville.
The Ember Fellowship, a new startup talent program founded by Atlanta entrepreneur Eileen Lee, has selected 33 fellows from nearly 500 applicants and placed them at early-stage companies across the Southeast.
Urbanize Atlanta reported Rockefeller Group has uncloaked fresh renderings and details for the office component of 1072 West Peachtree, a 60-story Midtown skyscraper that will be Atlanta's tallest new building since the early 1990s. The LEED Silver tower includes eight floors of Class A+ office and a one-acre amenity floor with pickleball, saunas, and city views.
LumiVita blends medical care with spa-style treatments, emphasizing science-backed approaches delivered in a calming setting.
Georgia Tech's startup incubator opens a physical lab with server infrastructure and coworking space for entrepreneurs testing AI ideas.
The Center for Puppetry Arts' new family run of 'The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales' opened in Midtown and runs through May 17. The show adapts the Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith picture book with the Center's signature mix of rod and shadow puppetry.
Piedmont Park Conservancy marked the first anniversary of its long-range improvement plan this week and used the moment to raise another $700,000 at its annual Landmark Luncheon. Year-one progress includes restored landscaping, refreshed gathering spaces, and the early phases of capital projects that will reshape Midtown's signature greenspace.
Georgia Tech is opening up its campus housing inventory to FIFA World Cup visitors this summer, offering dorm-style stays for fans coming to Atlanta for the eight matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The program turns Tech's underused summer dorms into a high-volume option for a city that is bracing for record visitor traffic.
Tequila Fest Atlanta returns over Cinco de Mayo weekend with a limited ticket release. The annual event has built a steady following among Atlantans who treat the first weekend in May as the unofficial start of patio season.
The Miles Electric Band, founded by Grammy-winning drummer Vince Wilburn Jr., will perform at Atlanta Symphony Hall on May 22 as part of the Atlanta Jazz Festival's tribute to the 100th anniversary of Miles Davis's birth. The Memorial Day weekend opener combines Miles Davis alumni with a new generation of modern jazz players.
Atlanta has seen a surge in AI-focused meetups over the past few months, including the weekly Mond(AI)y Coffee gatherings at ATDC in Midtown's Tech Square and the local chapter of the AI Collective. The roundup gives non-technical Atlantans concrete ways to plug into building with AI tools.
At its annual Landmark Luncheon, conservancy CEO Doug Widener laid out the first year of progress on the 10-to-15-year master plan announced in 2025. Completed work includes a restored pool and aquatic center, new entrance gardens, and the launch of Seeds for the Future, a three-year tree-care initiative inventorying 3,000 mature trees.
Three and a half years after plans surfaced, crews are clearing buildings along Piedmont Avenue to set up the Garden's first physical expansion since opening 50 years ago. A $160 million capital campaign is funding the work, with groundbreaking targeted for late summer and completion by late 2028 or early 2029.
The crane looms over the stalled renovation at 14th and Peachtree. One neighbor who lived through a crane collapse in New York in 2012 wrote to Mayor Dickens' office on April 7 asking for answers on the structure's condition.
Writing in her Saportareport column, Midtown resident Maria Saporta backed the resolution, pointing to the April 4 festival where two young women were shot (one fatally) as a turning point for how the city handles large events in the park.
The private school's abrupt March 31 closure, just six weeks before the end of the year, has parents questioning finances and demanding transparency after discovering a newly-recruited board member purchased the building in an effort to save the school.
The luxury cinema chain filed for Chapter 11 in February but says all locations, including the Midtown Atlanta theater, will remain open and operating during the court-supervised sale process.
With international tourism down 11% last year and locals spending travel budgets closer to home, Atlanta's hotel industry is cashing in. The city has gone from 60,000 rooms in 1996 to over 110,000 today.
The redesigned bus network consolidates routes for better frequency, while the new Rapid A-Line runs in dedicated red lanes from North Avenue to East Point with 10-minute headways all day.
A CBRE researcher argues that a three-mile stretch of Peachtree Creek beneath I-85 and Piedmont Road, right where the BeltLine is about to break ground on new trails, could one day give intown Atlanta the waterfront it has always lacked.
One year after buying the long-vacant lot, Midtown Improvement District revealed renderings for a layered park designed by Field Operations, the firm behind New York's High Line.
For two weekends in April, Historic Oakland Foundation opens the gates for an immersive exhibition among the magnolias and mausoleums, while the High Museum hosts a major Isamu Noguchi retrospective.
The first comprehensive renderings reveal plans for a 'cultural and civic destination' with an amphitheater, pavilion, and restaurant, designed by the team behind NYC's High Line.
The Board of Regents approved only the fourth tuition increase in a decade as enrollment hits record levels across the University System of Georgia.
The beverage giant is selling a portion of its Midtown corporate campus to the university, expanding Georgia Tech's footprint in the area.
The public media organization held its first-ever evening benefit fundraiser, drawing support from Indigo Girls and other local personalities to close the funding gap.
Brady Lum pleaded not guilty to stealing from the museum by doctoring invoices for personal purchases including luxury guitars, but prosecutors expect him to change his plea.
Metro Atlanta-based Atomic-6 unveiled ODC.space, where AI developers and government agencies can reserve orbital data center capacity on demand, backed by astronaut Chris Hadfield.
The Moving Atlanta Forward program will fund sidewalk improvements in 50 corridors citywide, targeting the most dangerous stretches for pedestrians as the city prepares for World Cup foot traffic.
"Isamu Noguchi: 'I am not a designer'" features nearly 200 objects spanning the artist's entire career, and Atlanta was chosen as the show's starting city because of Playscapes, the only playground Noguchi built in the U.S. during his lifetime.
Metro Atlanta-based Atomic-6 unveiled ODC.space, a marketplace where AI developers and government agencies can reserve orbital data center capacity on demand, backed by astronaut Chris Hadfield.
MARTA is rolling out new express bus routes, extended rail service hours, and temporary park-and-ride capacity as Atlanta prepares to host eight FIFA World Cup matches this summer. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan has confirmed Atlanta as its team base camp.
Legacy at Herndon Square, the second phase of a 12-acre mixed-income development on the former Herndon Homes public housing site, is scheduled to begin leasing this spring with 170 of 201 units designated as affordable.
The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is fighting to save the century-old former church building in Midtown, warning it faces demolition risk as the neighborhood continues rapid redevelopment.
The Korean bakery and cafe franchise is taking a 2,144-square-foot space at 1100 Peachtree St. NE, joining a growing cluster of food options near the 1105 West Peachtree development.
Industrial monitoring startup Tractian, backed by General Catalyst, is expanding its Atlanta office with dozens of new positions even as national hiring slows across the tech sector.
The annual Dogwood Festival returned to Piedmont Park this weekend with fine art, live music, and family entertainment, along with increased security following recent events at the park.
The Miles Electric Band will headline a tribute concert during Atlanta Jazz Festival weekend in May, celebrating the 100th birthday of the legendary trumpeter.
The 60-story 1072 West Peachtree has reached its full height after nearly three years of construction. The crane removal is causing lane closures on West Peachtree between 11th and 12th streets through April 15.
The Atlanta-founded defense aviation company raised $350M in Series C funding and will relocate headquarters to El Segundo. The Atlanta facility remains open for production with no layoffs planned.
Mayor's Office of Technology and Innovation released its 2025 Impact Report showing the tech hub has supported 146 companies, generated $70 million in salaries, and committed $85 million in city pension capital to VC and private equity.
Atlanta Beltline Inc. has released an Invitation to Bid for the 2.8-mile Northeast Trail Segment 3 and four connector trails. The federally funded project will close a gap over Peachtree Creek and active rail lines.
The 14th Street omakase spot offers $99 dinner tasting menus and excellent a la carte nigiri. The hamachi with pesto and o-toro with fresh uni are standouts.
For the first time in its 90-year history, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival will require a nominal entry fee. Organizers say the fee is necessary for the event to survive as costs have surged 25% to 35%.
The Atlanta-founded defense aviation company raised $350M in Series C funding and will relocate headquarters to El Segundo. The Atlanta facility will remain open for production.
Atlanta Beltline Inc. has released a bid for 2.8 miles of Northeast Trail through the Armour/Ottley district, including four connector trails linking to MARTA's Lindbergh station and PATH400.
All MARTA faregates will remain open until May 2 as the agency rolls out its new tap-to-pay system. Riders must switch to a new orange Breeze card or use contactless bank cards by the deadline.
The 14th Street spot has quietly built a following since 2019 with its approachable omakase ($99 dinner, $65 lunch) and strong a la carte nigiri. Try the hamachi with pesto.
Former teammates Jorge Soler and Reynaldo Lopez came to blows in the fifth inning. Braves manager Walt Weiss tackled Soler to the ground. Both players were ejected; Atlanta won 7-2.
After two decades of stalled plans, site work has started on the 4-acre lot across from Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta. The interim park phase will bring a grass lawn and walking paths this summer.
The hypersonic aircraft startup raised $350M in Series C funding and is relocating its headquarters to El Segundo, CA. The Atlanta facility stays open for production with no layoffs planned.
A new production from Atlanta Ballet tells the story of the Mexican icon through dance, highlighting the city's growing role as a cultural bridge between the U.S. and Latin America.
The Sons of Atlanta Vietnam War Monument, the city's first proper tribute to local Vietnam War veterans, is finished near the park's Active Oval after years of fundraising.
The health-focused franchise has signed a lease for a location in Plaza Midtown, with construction underway and an opening expected in four to six months.
The annual call for nominations honors individuals and organizations whose work has strengthened Georgia's LGBTQ+ community. Nominations are open to the public.
The Press Club will host debates for top Georgia candidates ahead of May's primary elections, continuing its role as the state's premier political forum.
Atlanta Beltline Inc. says it will exceed its 5,600-unit affordable housing goal before the 2030 deadline. The agency has locked in 4,425 units to date, with 299 delivered last year and 500 more in the pipeline.
The Virginia-Highland coffee institution is expanding to Midtown and Druid Hills. The Peachtree Street location opens April 4, with a second spot at Sage Hill coming this summer.
The growth-stage startup that raised $21.5M in 2024 joins the Colorado-based public company. Document Crunch's AI document analysis has been deployed on over 10,000 construction projects.
The brewery's Ponce Brew Terminal finally fills the prime Eastside Trail retail space at Signal House. DAS BBQ is running the kitchen, and the massive patio overlooks the city's busiest trail section.
The world's largest 10K marks America's 250th birthday this year. Atlanta Track Club members get guaranteed spots; everyone else enters the lottery by April 21.
The city's Office of Technology and Innovation previewed its 2025 impact report: 1,155 organic new hires, $85M in pension capital committed to VC, and a stated goal to become a top-five tech hub.
Mujo chef J. Trent Harris is up for Best Chef: Southeast, while wine bar Aria returns as a finalist for Outstanding Hospitality. Winners announced June 15.
As metro Atlanta weighs legal responses to unauthorized teen gatherings at spots like the BeltLine and the Battery, advocates say the real question is where teens can actually go.
Atlanta construction-tech startup Zero RFI pulled in a $13.8 million seed round as Southeast venture funding saw strong cybersecurity and healthtech activity.
Mujō chef J. Trent Harris is nominated for Best Chef: Southeast, while wine bar Aria earns a nod for Outstanding Hospitality. Winners will be announced in June.
A new investor group combining Georgia's major research institutions has invested in Sanguina, which offers AI-powered anemia monitoring through a smartphone app.
The new tap-to-pay system is now active at all MARTA stations. Both old and new Breeze cards work through May 2, giving riders time to transition. The upgrade brings contactless payment options and faster fare processing.
The orchestra will perform on Oak Hill at 6 p.m. The program celebrates America's 250th birthday with works by John Williams, Leonard Bernstein, Florence Price, and a teenage Georgia composer.
As search fragments across Google, ChatGPT, and Claude, Searchbird builds custom websites optimized for both traditional SEO and generative engines.
Global Payments, Elavon, and Coca-Cola have large teams in Ireland. More Atlanta companies are following their lead, drawn by tech talent, EU access, and AI infrastructure.
Georgia Power is working to restore service to neighborhoods along Juniper Street and Piedmont Ave between 10th Street and North Ave.
Starbucks Workers United announced that contract negotiations will resume in April. Unionized baristas, including three Atlanta stores, walked out in November demanding better pay and staffing.
Civic leaders, preachers, and officials gathered at the Retreat by the Gathering to honor the former mayor, UN ambassador, and civil rights leader.
As search fragments across Google, ChatGPT, and other tools, Searchbird builds custom websites optimized for both traditional search and generative engines.
Pitmaster John Lewis, behind one of Charleston's best BBQ spots, just opened at Ansley Mall with six custom 22-foot smokers and some of the best brisket in Atlanta.
The U.S. Men's National Team is using Atlanta United's training grounds to prepare for Saturday's friendly against Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Ed McBrayer spent 35 years at PATH Foundation connecting Atlanta with trails. His vision helped shape the BeltLine, Silver Comet, and countless other paths we take for granted.
The new smokehouse at Ansley Mall features six 22-foot smokers running 24/7 in a loft overlooking the pedestrian bridge to the BeltLine. Pitmaster John Lewis, who helped build the custom smokers from 1,000-gallon propane tanks, is turning out some of the best brisket in Atlanta. The setup alone is worth seeing.
After months of construction headaches and station detours, MARTA's upgraded fare system launches March 28. The big change? You can finally tap your phone or credit card directly at the gates instead of fumbling with that Breeze card. Not all stations will have the new gear right away, but it's a start toward joining the rest of the civilized transit world.
The high-intensity fitness brand opened Thursday at 1105 West Peachtree St. NW, bringing their signature Red Room workout experience closer to Georgia Tech and the residential towers in Midtown. The studio features the iconic Red Room, a dedicated LIFT studio, Fuel Bar, and premium locker rooms with Dyson hair dryers.
With 95 days until FIFA World Cup matches arrive, Atlanta officials unveiled details for the Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park. MARTA will launch its Better Breeze payment system in two weeks and increase service during matches. The airport's long-delayed South Terminal project will also finally open before the tournament.
The intersection of 10th Street and Hemphill Avenue will be completely closed for about four weeks starting Monday while crews replace a large water valve. The work is part of the city's water distribution maintenance program and will run Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers should expect detours throughout the area.
JuCoby Johnson, currently at Juilliard School, won the 23rd annual Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition with his Southern Gothic thriller 'The Red Man.' The play will be produced as part of Alliance's 2027/28 season, while four other finalists will get developmental workshops during the 2027 Kendeda Week.
Atlanta's Watershed Management department shut down Juniper Street between 10th and 11th streets for emergency sewer line repairs that will last about six weeks. The work involves replacing existing sewer mains to fix defects and increase capacity in the busy Midtown corridor. Expect detours and traffic headaches through April.
JuCoby Johnson from Juilliard won the 23rd annual Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition with "The Red Man," described as a Southern Gothic thriller and love story. The play will be produced as part of the Alliance's 2027-28 season, while four finalists get workshops next year. It's a big deal for emerging playwrights.
Midtown is Atlanta's arts and culture district, home to the High Museum of Art, the Fox Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, and Piedmont Park. It stretches from North Avenue on the south to roughly Brookwood on the north, with the Connector on the west and Piedmont Avenue (and the park) on the east. The area has seen enormous high-rise development over the past decade, and Midtown's skyline now rivals Downtown's. It's the densest, most walkable part of Atlanta proper.
The restaurant and bar scene is strong and getting stronger. You have everything from high-end spots like Atlas at the St. Regis to casual favorites along Crescent Avenue and the Peachtree corridor. The Midtown MARTA stations (Midtown and Arts Center) make this one of the most transit-friendly areas in the city. Colony Square and the Biltmore area have been redeveloped with new food halls and retail. If you want an urban lifestyle in Atlanta with actual pedestrian infrastructure, Midtown is the most obvious choice.