Atlanta, GA
A once abandoned terminal changed Southwest Atlanta. Its future is still unfolding.
The small business hub is working to stay rooted in its mission to serve its community, while embracing events like the World Cup.
Views of the exterior of Pittsburgh Yards in Atlanta on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Five years ago this month, an abandoned trucking terminal south of I-20 was reborn as a business and community hub called Pittsburgh Yards.
In the years since its opening, the 15-acre site has helped spur the development of the Southside Beltline and brought new businesses and visitors to a historically neglected part of Atlanta.
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Views of the exterior of Pittsburgh Yards as seen from The Beltline in Atlanta on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
A catalyst
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Breaking ground
sraey htiw koot ot ot ot emit eht eht eht eht taht .etis thgir stnediser laer gninnalp no tiforpnon sgniteem lacol ni woh gnipoh dleh dnuorg rof rof elpmaxe etatse od .tnempoleved tnatsnoc ,ytinummoc tsylatac yb kaerb eb dna na a tI noitadnuoF gniruD yesaC 21
ti“ .sraey saw ,pu ,neht .dias fo devil ekil wenk tsuj ni sah rof .ylimaf ”,ydobyreve ydobyreve ytinummoc kcab tuoba a einahpetS hgrubsttiP gniworG srewolF srewolF dnA 04
stnaw sgniht eht taht ekat nees ’stnediser stnediser stcejorp ro wen doohrobhgien sdeen ycagel evael otni evah t’nod .degnahc tliub dna .tnuocca s’ehS tuB
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rO“ erA“ tahw ew su ot ot ot .gnikniht yeht yeht s’taht llet ehs dellacer yllaer ”?netsil ”?ti ni evah gniog gniog gniog emoc nac eb era dna dna
Stephanie Flowers, a 40-year community resident and community advocate who participated in the community-led planning of Pittsburgh Yards, speaks at the initial community celebration of Pittsburgh Yards in September 2021. (Courtesy of Pittsburgh Yards)
htiw dehgiew saw eht eht eht eht eht desirprus .esoprup .ssecorp lapicnirp yltnasaelp no fo gniman eman ,rekinom noissim niam sti ti ni depleh evig ytinummoc dna dna retfa sdraY ehT hgrubsttiP aiN aaznawK srewolF tuB gnidliuB
tI“ saw ot ot ot ot ot siht eht eht eht eht eht .stnanet troppus ”,ecaps gnihtemos snoisses dias gnillor tnediser edivorp detapicitrap trap renwo tuo fo fo fo fo won wen .doohrobhgien retsam emitgnol ekil ,ti si ni gnipleh lairuenerpertne tnemegagne ,ytinummoc ytinummoc ytinummoc ngised-oc ssalc tub lufituaeb eb eb dna dna osla osla gniwolla tnecajda elba a a a draY weivtseW ,snilloR snilloR hgrubsttiP imoyiK tken’eK ,evitarepooC
Views of the exterior of The Nia Building at Pittsburgh Yards in Atlanta on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
ot ot eht eht eht taht .dias tniop gninepo fo txen si ni s’buh noitelpmoc dna osla ssecca detarelecca ,sdraY ehT edishtuoS hgrubsttiP nnelG srewolF rebmeceD eniltleB 0202
… eW“ noitamrofsnart ”,nwot siht sgniht edis gnittes .dias no fo noitom tsuj ni rof citylatac tsaob gnieb lanoitidda nnelG
elihw detnaw detiaw litnu ot ot yeht eht eht eht eht esimorp nalp ,)ytrap cimednap lanigiro gninepo gninepo ton yam peek sti ni evah dnarg rof gniwollof llaf .ytinummoc neeb a a noitadnuoF yesaC dnA dna(
tI“ dnA“ uoy htiw hcihw tahw erew ew ew su ot ot ot eht eht maet .dias dias llor yllaer ”.sehcnup llarevo ruo ,noissim tsuj si dleh dleh dah gniog seog rof ”,od gnieb gnieb kcab ,elbatnuocca elbatnuocca nnelG
,sraey esu tinu gninrut ot ot ot yeht eht eht eht ecaps tniop stovip tsap eesrevo yllanigiro rotarepo fo muesum rekam ,ekam .yrenihcam ekil tsael otni yvaeh sah dah evif evif dnif denoisivne t’ndluoc nac gib ta sa tra na na retfa a a sdraY hgrubsttiP revO nnelG
hcihw ot eht eht eht taht ylbaborp fo .doohrobhgien muesum si ni tsrif egnahc thguorb seveileb tra ,hgrubsttiP muesuM nnelG aropsaiD tuB atnaltA trA nacirfA
Guests check out the “We Need Love” exhibit at the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta, located in the Nia Building at Pittsburgh Yards. (Photo by Ty Peas)
2025 and beyond
raey ot eht .buh sah doog ssenisub thguorb htob dab dna sihT
htiw ot eht taht enoladnats gnippihs liater fo sah worg puorg deunitnoc sreniatnoc niatnoc ,sessenisub ta a ,sdraY ehT hgrubsttiP draytruoC reniatnoC .eniltleB
sraey htiw htiw nehw saw saw saw ot emit eht eht eht eht tnanet erots .ecaps llams ecnis ehs ehs margorp margorp roirp tnalp trap renwo nepo fo fo fo wen dedeen tsal rotabucni ni reh sah tog tsrif dnif wef gnidne .draytruoc detcennoc tub ssenisub neeb dna a a sdraY ehS ,sohtoP hgrubsttiP kniP .rebotcO ahsiekaL ,senoJ ,eniltleB A
I“ ohw tahw tnaw tnaw tnaw ”,pu ot ot ot ot kniht ,ecaps wohs .dias ,tneserper yllaer tnenamrep won ym ym tsuj ni woh teg gnitoof ediced gnieb neeb eb dna dna elba senoJ ev’I I I I
Lakeisha Jones, owner of plant company Pink Pothos, is in her shop on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Jones partnered with Tyler Cichonski, the founder of Rousseau Plant Care and created the Atlanta Plant Fest, a festival held at Pittsburgh Yards in early April. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
hcihw ot ot ot ot eht eht eht tnanet troppus ,sevres dias tnecer sedivorp seciffo s’tiforpnon devom lagel sti ti si ni morf eerf .seilimaf evitucexe nwotnwod rotcerid seitinummoc resolc eb evitartsinimda sdraY reetnuloV hgrubsttiP leahciM hcraM .sacuL sreywaL tI ,noitadnuoF atnaltA atnaltA atnaltA rehtonA
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tsuj“ tahT“ dluow gnikrow krow ohw tahw erew ew ew saw ,ereht naht ,dias ”.esir elpoep tuo ruo ”,fo fo fo deen erom nrael dnik ti ni fi hgih demaerd yb tuoba a sacuL
raey htiw hguot ot eht taht llams gniwols .dias ,etar tniop eno ycnapucco ti buh sah dah dah rof nellaf ,ymonoce ylrae laed yb tub sessenisub neeb sa na osla tsomla a a sdraY hgrubsttiP nnelG rebmeceD tuB tA %09 .%76
ot siht .meht gnikat deroliat troppus llams evres edivorp srenwo erom si noitaripsni rof ssenisub retteb sa dna nnelG
Views of the interior of The Nia Building at Pittsburgh Yards in Atlanta on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
ot ot ot eht .ecaps llams dias gnidivorp ecalp ytinutroppo tsoc-wol si evah sah og rof rof ytinummoc sessenisub emoceb dna na a a sdraY einahpetS hgrubsttiP srewolF
krow ohw erehw erusnu ot yeht ,meht eht eht llits emos os etis ehs ehs evres stnediser srenwo seitinutroppo fo s’doohrobhgien .dedulcni woh sepoh leef etaerc emoc nac nac nac ssenisub t’nera era dna dedda sdraY hgrubsttiP tuB
I“ tahw tahw gniyrt ot kniht meht rieht rieht eht llits emos os .dias elor ecalp tuo no fo s’ti si desucof dnif ”,sruenerpertne esuaceb era dna srewolF ,)si(
pu ot eht eht eht eht s’ehs spmar lanigiro no fo fo noissim ,dnim rojam skool ekil gnipeek ,erutuf tnorf stneve yllaicepse tnempoleved gnidnecsed .ytic sa daeha dlroW nnelG puC sA
woH“ ohw ew oot ot siht desoppus ,gnimlehwrevo ro ton ekam ekam ti si gnitteg morf ”?rof od ,noitanitsed tub eb yawa a )sdraY hgrubsttiP(
tahw saw desu gniniart ot yeht rieht rieht eht eht ekat stneduts os yllanigiro fo fo dnal ti ti yrotsih seog :rof rof .seilimaf dluoc erac sessenisub dliub kcab dna dna yletamitlU ,nnelG egelloC kralC
I“ I“ siht siht eht eht eht eht s’taht taht taht taht ehs ees gnilacs .dias nruter rebmemer esoprup ecalp elpoep fo fo ycagel ”.sevael dnal si tcapmi epoh epoh rof ”,pihsruenerpertne dna dna a kcalB
— retirw ot siht .troper detubirtnoc yrahcaZ ffatS nesnaH
Mirtha Donastorg is a reporter on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s business team focusing on Black wealth, entrepreneurship, and minority-owned businesses as well as innovation at Atlanta’s HBCUs.
Thousands of Atlanta immigrants face deportations
Hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants face potential deportation starting July 27 after a Supreme Court ruling allowed the administration to end Temporary Protected Status, according to legal advocates.
ATLANTA – A Supreme Court ruling allowing the end of Temporary Protected Status has sparked widespread fear among tens of thousands of Haitian immigrants living across Georgia.
The major legal decision clears the way for federal authorities to resume deportations next month.
Georgia immigrants face deportation
What we know:
The Supreme Court ruled last week that the Trump administration can end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 1-million immigrants. This decision affects roughly 350,000 Haitian immigrants nationwide, including thousands who legally reside and work in metro Atlanta.
Former Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf called the ruling a dramatic win for the administration and common sense. However, local immigration lawyer Lana Joseph said, “these are people who are well vetted, who work here, raise children, pay taxes.”
Atlanta community fears violence
What they’re saying:
An anonymous Haitian woman living in metro Atlanta expressed profound terror, calling the sudden legal shift an absolute nightmare. She said, “I am worried about the future more because I don’t know what’s going to happen to me,” fearing she could be killed by heavily armed gangs that currently overrun much of Haiti.
Dr. Jean Billy Beaufils, president of the Georgia Haitian Leadership Coalition, strongly condemned the decision, describing any forced return to Haiti as suicide. Joseph added that some facing removal entered the country as infants and know no other home.
Legal protections ending soon
What’s next:
The Trump administration is authorized to begin deportations on July 27 following the expiration of the legal safeguards. Meanwhile, immigration advocates are pressing Congress to intervene and extend protections for vulnerable communities.
Unresolved immigration details
What we don’t know:
Officials have not yet confirmed exactly how many individuals within Georgia will face immediate removal actions starting next month. It also remains unclear whether federal authorities will prioritize specific cases or execute widespread enforcement operations.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from FOX 5 reporter Christopher King, who interviewed affected Haitian community members and legal experts in metro Atlanta, as well as broadcast pool feeds featuring federal policy statements.
Here’s a closer look at Atlanta’s newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this summer. The new and renovated Atlanta-area venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Hotel Phoenix
Rendering: Courtesy of Green Olive Media
One of downtown Atlanta’s most anticipated openings, Hotel Phoenix brings 292 guest rooms, 15 suites, and more than 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space to the rapidly evolving Centennial Yards district, just in time for FIFA festivities. Opening in December 2025, the 18-story property sits steps from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and offers floor-to-ceiling skyline views throughout. For planners, the headline is the flexible event footprint, anchored by an 8,214-square-foot ballroom that can be separated into three spaces by airwalls. The indoor flexibility is complemented by outdoor gathering spaces, which debuted this spring, including a resort-style pool deck, event lawn, and terrace lounge. With modern industrial design, built-in AV capabilities, and easy access to Atlanta’s sports and entertainment corridor, Hotel Phoenix is poised to become a go-to destination for conferences, galas, receptions, and high-energy corporate events.
JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown
Photo: Courtesy of JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown
Following a complete transformation of the former W Atlanta Downtown, JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown debuted in May with 237 guest rooms and nearly 10,000 square feet of refreshed meeting and event space. The property’s redesigned venues include conference rooms, banquet spaces, prefunction areas, and JW Marriott’s signature Blank Canvas Room, a gallery-style venue featuring white walls and wood floors designed to be fully customized for any event vision. An elevated boardroom, one of the city’s largest executive lounges, wellness-focused guest accommodations, and a rooftop pool bar add extra appeal for executive retreats and multi-day conferences. For planners seeking a luxury downtown option with a fresh new identity, this one deserves a spot on the shortlist.
Cosm Atlanta
Photo: Courtesy of Cosm Atlanta
If your attendees have already seen every ballroom in Atlanta, introduce them to Cosm. The new 70,000-square-foot venue in Centennial Yards is anchored by an 87-foot-diameter LED dome that delivers immersive “shared reality” experiences unlike anything currently available in the meetings market. The three-level venue accommodates up to 2,000 guests across three distinct event environments. The Dome seats up to 500 for screenings, presentations, and private experiences beneath the massive 12K+ LED display. The Hall offers a two-story event space with theater seating for 500, while The Deck provides outdoor reception space for up to 400 guests overlooking Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena. From product launches and media events to client entertainment and branded activations, Cosm offers planners a built-in wow factor that requires very little additional dressing.
SKOL Brewing Company & Valhalla Gaming Lounge
Photo: Courtesy of Caren West PR
Already known for its Nordic-inspired brewpub atmosphere inside downtown Atlanta’s historic 200 Peachtree building, SKOL Brewing Company is leveling up with the addition of Valhalla Gaming Lounge, a 30,000-square-foot expansion designed for immersive group experiences. Combined with SKOL’s existing 5,000-square-foot footprint, the venue creates a sprawling entertainment destination packed with more than 40 interactive attractions, including simulators, bocce courts, billiards, darts, arcade games, and experiential gaming zones. Private event options are already available, making this a compelling choice for team-building programs, client entertainment, conference after-parties, and events that need a healthy dose of friendly competition.
Thrillz Atlanta
Photo: Courtesy of Thrillz Atlanta & Brown Bag Marketing
Forget trust falls. Thrillz Atlanta is bringing adrenaline-fueled team building to the city with a massive indoor adventure park featuring more than 20 attractions under one roof. Designed for group outings, corporate events, and large-scale celebrations, the venue combines amusement rides, virtual reality experiences, laser tag, duckpin bowling, obstacle courses, arcade gaming, and towering slide attractions reaching up to 40 feet high. Ten themed private event rooms, dedicated event coordinators, and full food-and-beverage service make planning surprisingly turnkey. For companies looking to inject some serious energy into meetings, incentive programs, or employee events, Thrillz offers an experience attendees won’t forget.
You42 Studios
Photo: Courtesy of You42 Studios
Part content campus, part entertainment complex, part event venue, You42 Studios is one of the most unconventional new event destinations to open in metro Atlanta. Located in Roswell, the 36,000-square-foot facility combines creator studios, production suites, restaurants, nightlife concepts, live entertainment, and flexible event space under one roof. For planners, versatility is the selling point. The campus includes a 3,800-square-foot event venue, 11 professional content-creation studios, podcast suites, themed production sets, and The Block Theater, featuring a 30-by-18-foot LED screen for presentations, screenings, and live performances. Add multiple food-and-beverage concepts led by celebrity chef Katsuji Tanabe, and You42 becomes a one-stop shop for conferences, content-driven events, brand launches, influencer programs, and corporate gatherings looking for something far more memorable than a hotel meeting room.
Peachtree Sporting Club & American Dive
Photo: Zachary Bobo
Downtown Atlanta’s new 207 Peachtree development is betting big on experiential events. The 45,000-square-foot entertainment, dining, and event destination opened this month with Peachtree Sporting Club, an upscale sports bar concept, and American Dive, a live music venue serving Southern barbecue in a nostalgic dive-bar setting. For planners looking to move beyond traditional ballrooms, the venue offers built-in energy, multiple environments under one roof, and the flexibility to host everything from watch parties and networking receptions to buyouts and branded activations. It’s the kind of place where attendees can swap conference badges for cocktails without ever leaving the venue.
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