Thursday, March 5, 2009

Atlantic Station Update

The Atlantic Station logo; a worthy representation of the developement...


As much as I hate Atlantic Station I ended up being dragged there to a movie at Regal Cinemas, the one bright spot of the development. After the film I walked around a little to see what I had missed in the time since I'd last been to this sad excuse for a development, turns out a lot. Pier 1, closed as did Tahitian Noni Cafe, an eatery run by people that make exotic juice. One the bright side if you can call it that, Subway opened as well as Kilwins, a Michigan based chocolate and ice cream eatery. PJ's Coffee & Lounge has a new far more generic name "Cafe 19" while apparently being run by the same management as before. If you were already aware of these changes, consider this old news, just like Atlantic Station. Repeat Atlanta!

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think Atlantic Station needs its own Death Watch list. Banana Republic, Guess, and Ann Taylor will be next. I do hope West Elm survives but I will be surprised.

ProShop99 said...

I could not agree more! That idea was discussed and we may end up putting Atlantic Station itself on the Death Watch! Yes, it would be nice if West Elm survives as I believe its their only location in Georgia.

Anonymous said...

IKEA, H&M - HELLO!?!

Anonymous said...

HELLO - what about them?

Anonymous said...

Still can't completely understand your negativity towards Atlantic Station, nor the inexplicable joy you have in seeing its tenants struggle through this economic downturn.

Anonymous said...

Just wondering why you hate Atlantic Station so much? Isn't it better than a rusty old steel plant?

Anonymous said...

What Atlantic Station critics fail to realize is that this is the first significant retail in "intown Atlanta" in a very long time. The kind of "not so special" retail is NEEDED here because it is a very under-retailed area. Every store in the city can't be Prada and Gucci!

ProShop99 said...

Great point! At Lenox and Phipps, where there are retailers such as Gucci and Burberry, are for charged for general parking, NO. The price point of the merchandise at retailers such as H&M, GAP, Old Navy etc does not bode well with charging patrons with parking. This is especially foolish as they bill themselves as a "live, work, play" environment. Yea, you can live work and play, but your gonna pay to park??? On another note, one significant thing missing for a place with its own zip code, a post office. Why would this wonderful neighborhood where everything is suppose to be done w/o leaving be w/o a post office, or even a FedEx, UPS.. anything???

Anonymous said...

Thats a false argument. Do you never leave the neighborhood where you live? At least the development attempts to be urban (which is really what live,work,play is all about) unlike most of the sprawl in Atlanta.

As far as paying for parking, that is a fact of live for most cities where the cost of real estate mandates it. I never pay for parking at Atlantic station. Neither do residents. A visit on any weekend would suggest that this is not keeping people away.

ProShop99 said...

Call it false if you like. Yes, I do leave my neighborhood, but if Atlantic Station wants this to be a live, work, play as they advertise, there should at least be a PO. I mean come on, really, there is a hotel, movie theater, grocery, restaurants, retail, residences and offices, but no PO, that make no sense! On the parking issue, I don't know who you are, or what you do, but anyone who lives in Atlanta knows that rent in Buckhead has historically been and still is higher than most any other ITP locale. The argument you make that its a necessary evil where the "cost of real estate mandates it" is crazy given the fact that Jacoby could easily offer free parking all the time as they own the land are collection gobs of money from the likes of Regal, Dolce, H2S, and Dillards among others. They are greedy and clueless apparently. there is no other such development in the Atlanta area where there is no option but to pay to park. Sembler, SIMON, Cousin's "The Avenues" all offer FREE parking to all patrons for however long the need to do whatever they want at the complex.

AtlInTown said...

Wow, maybe you were one of the developers of this awful "planned" community? The reality is that this is a poorly planned and designed community that is not drawing the crowds nor the tax base it was so hoped for. Reality. It is not a symbol of diversification of any kind and is clearly on a downward decline. This would have happened even despite the economy. It just has not lived up to expectations.

Anonymous said...

It's not a symbol of diversity because it has already become dominated by a single race, especially on Friday night.

And don't think that Atlantans, even ones who proclaim to be open minded, won't stay away for that reason alone in addition to the parking frustrations and lack of store originality.

The store lineup in Atlantic Station will inevitably become more closely aligned with Underground Atlanta and Gwinnett Place Mall within the next 10 to 15years.

Anonymous said...

I haven't been to a Post Office in years and can't possible understand how not having a post office could "limit" Atlantic Station's development in the least. You continue to make judgements on a project that is not 100% built out, still growing, and only been in existence for 3 years. As for the parking issue, who cares if it costs a $1 to park after 2 free hours? Just report the new developments and refrain from your silly commentary.

Anonymous said...

The Grove's Parking rates:

Period
0 to 1 hour - free
1 to 3 hours - $3
3 + hours - $3 + $1 each 20 mins
Daily maximum Price - $22

ProShop99 said...

Judging from the additional comments that have left on this post, it seems I'm not alone publicly, privately or otherwise in having issues with Atlantic Station. Post Office or parking, or other grievances there seem to be at least two others who feel strongly enough to comment back. Silly commentary, I think not.

Anonymous said...

I try to stay positive on Atlantic Station- thinking about what it could be... (I love the addition of the upscale Atlantic Residence, for example), but after seeing the gove as ProShop99 pointed out- Atlantic Station seems lame in comparison! Here's to the future though!

ProShop99 said...

As you say... its all about real estate.. and from having been to The Grove myself, its a lot more expensive to build and rent there... and therefore parking fees are assessed. The best part being, there are LED signs level by level telling you an up to date account of how many spaces are available and in what direction. Top to bottom, they may not have Gucci and Prada, though they still have a far better development than Atlantic is or will ever be.

Anonymous said...

You keep comparing Atlantic station to malls. The Grove is an open air mall.

Atlantic station is not a mall. It is designed as a neighborhood of the city. I know urban development is a new thing in Atlanta but this can't be that hard to understand.

What is silly about your "hate" a development like Atlantic Station in a city with miles of tacky strip malls.

Anonymous said...

I think Atlantic Station is a fun spot, even though I never shop there. Where else in Atlanta is a Cirque show going to appear?

Anonymous said...

Well one thing is for sure - this is the longest discussion I ever remember seeing on repeat.

I can't wait to see what is said about Sembler's Westside Crossing when it is built. It's a suburban-style strip mall plopped right in the middle of Home Park. Atlantic Station will look like Michigan Avenue compared to this upcoming disaster.

Anonymous said...

I appreciate the fact that we compare Atlanta developments to developments in LA, but unfortunately Atlanta isn't there yet. As far as parking is concerned--tell me where you can park for free in Midtown? I'd love to know. If you're that worried about paying $2 after 2-3 free hours, go park at the MARTA station and take the free shuttle over. Or take out your frustrations on a bike and pedal it across the only bridge in the city to provide a bike lane. Do you have any idea how expensive it is to build a parking deck? Just because someone may or may not own the land does not mean that all other building costs are free. A PO is a good idea. I think they should keep up with the entertainment venues---obviously Cirque has done well. There's a line of cars waiting to get in each Saturday at 7. Plus do you remember how busy it was at Taste or their holiday tree lighting?

ProShop99 said...

I'm well aware Atlanta is no at the same point LA is developmentally, economically or otherwise, but that does not excuse the poor mix of stores that were signed for the complex. An earlier comment posed the question of whether "its better than an old steel mill", yes, it is, but a lot of things would be better than an old steel mill, this not being the best choice in my opinion. As a frequent MARTA rider myself I know that there is no free parking offered at Arts Center station at any time, so for you to suggest that as an alternative is humorous, as it shows you really are unaware of the parking situation. As far as free parking is Midtown, there is plenty, of course I'd rather not mention all the areas as there are also plenty of people not happy about paying for parking. Lastly, you mention the "line of cars waiting to get in each saturday at 7" that is a point that many people have made, though you make it sound positive. Many weekend nights are filled with club revelers either going to or from STRIP, Dolce, Geisha or what have you and are often predominantly one nationality, a deterrent for others to even venture down to the complex. The only other draw on a Saturday night would be the Regal Cinemas, something I have acknowledged does do well and is often crowded. For a successful center, you need to attract a more diverse clientele and well more then a couple weekend nights. Vendors pay rent 24/7, doing well for a few hours each week is not good for business and Atlantic Station is not good for Atlanta.

Anonymous said...

Message to ProShop.... Maybe I am analyzing too deep into this conversation, but it appears that you have brought up more than one instance of the current "predominant" race that attracts Atlantic Station guests. Do you have a problem with the African American population that has migrated to the area? Statistically if you look at the demographics, the amount of Young Urban Professionals has increased substantially over the past five years and continues to grow. Therefore more African Americans that can afford to live in the city are moving to the city. Yes I admit, Atlantic Station has become much too overcrowded recently, but at the same time, no matter what race you are, as long as you are willing to spend money in the area in which apparently they are, the economy in Atlantic Station will continue to be a success for now. In my opinion it seems as though you are turned off by African Americans in Atlantic Station but please keep in mind, there is entertainment there for everyone so a particular race should not turn you off from venturing to the area unless you yourself have a problem with the race. Let's stick to the facts and not make this about culture. Lets stick to what this whole website is for and understand that yes, the venues in Atlantic Station suck, but you know what, unless you live there don't complain about it unless you are prepared to step up and do something about it, i.e. take it to City Council, voice your opinion at neighborhood meetings etc.

ProShop99 said...

Let me start by saying I'm offended at your accusation and I am not racist. The original comments you mention were not made by me and instead another reader. "It's not a symbol of diversity because it has already become dominated by a single race, especially on Friday night.

And don't think that Atlantans, even ones who proclaim to be open minded, won't stay away for that reason alone in addition to the parking frustrations and lack of store originality." on March 6th.

Having spoken with numerous store owners within Atlantic Station, I feel condidnet I'm not alone in my assertions. I have been told many a times how hard it is down there, not only by vendors but residents aswell. I may not live there, but I'am entitled to my opinion and that is that.

Anonymous said...

I have to side with ProShop. Too many times when one makes an observation about the dynamics of a certain area, one is deemed racist. The fact is that Atlantic Station patrons are predemominantly black, moreso on some nights than others.

There is nothing wrong with that and no one ever said that there was. The first post made a valid point that a lot of metro Atlantans still hold various opinions about an area based on its racial components - in a lot of cases it's ignorant but it's still a reality. And observing that reality (as ProShop did in his post) does not make one racist or even imply that they have a personal opinion in regards to the observation.

Retail centers whos clientele are dominated by a single race historically have struggled to attract what most would consider mid to upscale retailers. Underground Atlanta is a great example, although admittedly there are many other dynamics in play there. Hopefully Atlantic Station will succeed. The Mall at Stonecrest is succeeding for now and let's all hope that Atlanta continues as an example of hard work and success, especially in our African-American communities.

Anonymous said...

"the amount of Young Urban Professionals has increased substantially over the past five years and continues to grow"

That's great and all, but not all of the people that I've seen in Atlantic Station on a Friday night fit this description (black or otherwise).

Dave in ATStation said...

Let me chime in, I live in Atlantic Station, was fool enough to buy a condo, have to deal with the traffic and yes, on the weekends have to deal with a clientele that doesn't make you feel the safest. That is black or white.
Atlanta Station has catered to one race and that clientele does, regardless of your opinion, keep away many demographics. With the closing of stores and the adjusting of retail to be more reflective of specific demographics, we the owners at Atlantic Station are going to be in trouble from an investment standpoint. And we know it! Do not try to make everything a racial standpoint, and what I really take offense to is someone visiting a blog and implying things and telling the blogger what the blog is for! If you want to talk about racial injustice or prejudice, start your own blog and make up nonsense about how this city is so accepting. What we have is a blog steeped in reality and as blogs are, steeped in opinion.

Dave in Atlantic Station

Anonymous said...

Maybe Atlantic Station will go the way of old Rio Mall. Beeper stores and wig shops here we come!

Anonymous said...

It's frustrating to think that a city with the prosperity, growth, and increasing in-town density that Atlanta has cannot sustain the retail that is in Atlantic Station.

Samony said...

he thing about the single race thing is false. It just SEEMS that there are more african americans than whites, asians, indians, wahtever because Atlanta is 50% AA. Check the demographics. No one is racist. It's just a fact there are more of us (I am black) then any other ethnic group.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...