Underground Atlanta plans unveiled, future still unclear

March 9,2017

While the future of Underground Atlanta is still in limbo, new information has been released showing what hopeful-owner WRS is planning.

According to the drawings, which date back to June (but haven’t been released publicly until now), the four-block development could potentially include nearly 2.5 million square feet of new construction.

The proposal includes 1,000 residential units divided into six towers, each with rooftop pools and amenity decks. A hotel tower at Peachtree and Wall streets would provide 320 rooms.

At ground level, a new grocery store and more than 250,000 square feet of retail and service uses would mask parking garages to house more than 2,000 cars.

For preservationists, the plans are a mixed bag.

WRS indicates that there would be a plethora of historical markers, plaques, artifacts, and storyboards scattered around the site.

Additionally, if the City follows through on the contentious plans to cede Alabama and Pryor streets to the company, the historic building facades on Lower Alabama Street would be repurposed as restaurants to serve a food hall, while Upper Alabama Street would be reopened to vehicular traffic.

But, just south of Alabama Street, the construction of the grocery store and parking deck would require the removal of Kenny’s Alley.

While the buildings lining the alley mostly date to the various rebirths of Underground throughout the years, the thoroughfare—long known for entertainment, and the current home of the Masquerade—dates back to 1870.

This afternoon, the plans will come before Invest Atlanta’s TAD Project and Policy Review Committee. We will update the story when more information is known.