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The project that will transform the space formerly known as the CNN Center will open in May.

Why it matters: CP Group's makeover of the 1.2-million-square-foot complex dubbed The Center will open a month before the World Cup kicks off in Atlanta, and it could be a major activity hub during the city's eight matches.

The latest: Visitors will have 12 dining options to explore in the 24,000-square-foot CTR Food Works, which will be housed in the renovated atrium and include the largest bar in the city, CP Group said in a press release. 

Some of the restaurants that will open include Fuzzy's, La Tropical, Mimi Taqueria and Dessert Box.

The eateries and the bar are expected to open before the World Cup arrives in Atlanta, CP Group said.

Zoom in: The Center's signature restaurant will be Mastro's Ocean Club, an upscale steakhouse and seafood spot on the ground floor.

It's expected to open by midyear, CP Group said.

What they're saying: Chris Eachus, founding partner for CP Group, said in a statement The Center's reopening will connect "one of Atlanta's landmarks with the people and energy of Downtown."

"This moment marks a shift in this project from vision to a lived experience," Eachus said.

Catch up quick: CP Group, which calls itself the largest owner of commercial properties in Atlanta, purchased the complex in 2021.

CNN, located there since 1987, moved its Atlanta staff from the downtown hub back to its original Midtown campus in 2023. 

Flashback: Opened in 1976 as the Omni International Complex, the property was home for six months to The World of Sid and Marty Krofft, a doomed attempt at creating the country's first indoor amusement park.

After CNN claimed the space, the complex — and by extension the city — became a domestic and international news production hub.

By the numbers: CP Group pumped $50 million into exterior changes and another $15 million toward atrium renovations that are still in progress. 

The big picture: The Center's announcement comes as another major project blocks away, the $5 billion Centennial Yards redevelopment, recently announced its own slate of new tenants on the 50-acre site, including Busy Bee Cafe, The Irish Exit, Cosm, Shake Shack, Live Nation and Khao Thai Isan.

Hotel Phoenix and The Mitchell, a 302-unit luxury apartment building, are also up and running.

Food hall to open in former CNN Center in Downtown

CP Group's makeover of the 1.2 million square-foot complex dubbed The Center will open a month before the World Cup begins in Atlanta.

A rendering of a modern shopping mall interior with multiple levels, green plants, and wood accents. People socialize at a bar, sit in tan chairs, and walk around stores under natural light.

Rendering of the CTR Food Works. Photo: Courtesy of CP Group

The project that will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transform the space" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/08/01/cnn-former-headquarters-atlanta-the-center-world-cup-mixed-use" data-vars-content-id="14b6b2a2-96b9-4c48-8aa2-079f6708e81b" data-vars-headline="Food hall to open in former CNN Center in Downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/08/01/cnn-former-headquarters-atlanta-the-center-world-cup-mixed-use" target="_self">transform the space</a> formerly known as the CNN Center will open in May.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CP Group" data-vars-click-url="https://cpgcre.com/" data-vars-content-id="14b6b2a2-96b9-4c48-8aa2-079f6708e81b" data-vars-headline="Food hall to open in former CNN Center in Downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cpgcre.com/" target="_blank">CP Group</a>&#x27;s makeover of the 1.2-million-square-foot complex dubbed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thecenteratlanta.com/" data-vars-content-id="14b6b2a2-96b9-4c48-8aa2-079f6708e81b" data-vars-headline="Food hall to open in former CNN Center in Downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thecenteratlanta.com/" target="_blank">The Center</a> will open a month before the World Cup kicks off in Atlanta, and it could be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major activity hub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/03/25/centennial-yards-downtown-entertainment-district" data-vars-content-id="14b6b2a2-96b9-4c48-8aa2-079f6708e81b" data-vars-headline="Food hall to open in former CNN Center in Downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/03/25/centennial-yards-downtown-entertainment-district" target="_self">major activity hub</a> during the city&#x27;s eight matches.

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Fans of the iconic sitcom "The Golden Girls" can now immerse themselves in the television show's famous scenes at a new pop-up exhibition at Pullman Yards.

Why it matters: The show, which aired from 1985 to 1992, has a loyal fanbase, ranging from those who remember when the show was on TV to people who discovered the show through reruns and streaming services.

The latest: The Golden Girls Kitchen requires timed-entry tickets and offers replicas of the kitchen, Blanche's bedroom, the living room and patio.

Visitors can also dine at a fast-casual restaurant that serves food, drinks and desserts that play off the show. 

What they're saying: Nicole Gerlach, a spokesperson for Bucket Listers, which runs the exhibition, told Axios its stop in Atlanta is the seventh U.S. city.

People who've seen the display in other cities on social media have been clamoring for Bucket Listers to bring it here.

"It has been the most overwhelming fan-driven requested location, so we're super excited to bring it to Atlanta," Keely O'Neal, senior project manager at Bucket Listers, said.

How it works: Each reservation is for 90 minutes, which gives visitors time to eat and tour the different spaces.

Some menu items include Sophia's Cavatappi Bolognese, Bacon Lettuce Potato Sandwich, cheese balls, Blanche's Georgia Style Cookie, the Lanai "Miami Style" Cuban Sandwich and several cheesecake options.

Cocktail and mocktail choices are also on the menu.

There are also pop-up scenes, including The Rusty Anchor, Blanche's favorite bar.

Of course, visitors are free to take photos and selfies. 

The bottom line: "We really want it to feel like ... you get to actually be a part of the show from the food that they eat to what you're seeing out the windows," Gerlach told Axios.

Go: The exhibition will be at Pullman Yards through May 10. Get your tickets here.

The Golden Girls Kitchen pop-up exhibition opens in Atlanta

The experience will be at Pullman Yards through May 10.

Vintage-style kitchen set with dark wood cabinets, patterned floor tiles, turquoise curtains, decorative plates on wall, and a sign reading "The Golden Girls kitchen" above.

The Golden Girls Kitchen experience is now open at Pullman Yards. Photo: Kristal Dixon/Axios

Fans of the iconic sitcom &quot;The Golden Girls&quot; can now immerse themselves in the television show&#x27;s famous scenes at a new pop-up exhibition at Pullman Yards.Why it matters: The show, which aired from 1985 to 1992, has a loyal fanbase, ranging from those who remember when the show was on TV to people who discovered the show through reruns and streaming services.

Things to Do

Another metro Atlanta district is weighing a plan that would close more than two dozen schools, redrawing boundaries for thousands of students.

Why it matters: The DeKalb County School District is grappling with a decline in enrollment. Fewer students mean fewer state dollars to fund programs, which could lead to budgetary shortfalls and cuts.

Driving the news: A series of feedback sessions on the district's "Student Assignment Program" begin this week, with in-person and virtual options.

Meetings will be held Monday at the Board of Education's Administrative & Instructional Complex, Tuesday at Cedar Grove High School, Wednesday at Martin Luther King Jr. High School, and Thursday at Cross Keys High School.

Each virtual meeting will begin at noon. Participants can sign up here.

Zoom in: Under a proposal unveiled earlier this month, three high schools — Cedar Grove, Lithonia and Towers — would become middle schools. 

Five middle schools — Bethune, Champion Theme, Lithonia, McNair and Miller Grove — would transition into elementary schools. 

Cedar Grove Middle School would close, as would 26 elementary schools: Ashford Park, Bob Mathis, Brockett, Browns Mill, Canby Lane, Cedar Grove, Columbia, Evansdale, Flat Shoals, Henderson Mill, Kelly Lake, Kingsley, McLendon, McNair, Midvale, Oak Grove, Redan, Robert Shaw Theme, Rock Chapel, Rowland, Stone Mill, Stone Mountain, Stoneview, Toney, Vanderlyn and Woodridge. 

Yes, but: The district said changes would be implemented over six to eight years. 

By the numbers: As of October 2025, DeKalb County had about 90,000 students, down from around 101,000 enrolled in October 2015, according to Georgia Department of Education data.

What they're saying: Interim Superintendent Norman C. Sauce said declining enrollment affects how the district can support students and staff and maintain its buildings.

"We owe it to our community to be transparent about the challenges we face and to listen carefully before charting a path forward," he said. "This phase is about hearing directly from our stakeholders."

Catch up quick: The DeKalb County School District released its proposal just two months after the Atlanta Board of Education adopted a plan to shutter several elementary schools and repurpose those buildings.

What's next: Another round of in-person and virtual meetings will be held next month.

The district's timeline calls for a final proposal to be presented to the Board of Education in the fall.

DeKalb wants feedback on proposal to close 27 schools

Public input meetings will be held in February and March to get parent, student and stakeholder feedback.

Illustration of a pink eraser erasing a school zone street sign.

Another metro Atlanta district is weighing a plan that would close more than two dozen schools, redrawing boundaries for thousands of students.Why it matters: The DeKalb County School District is grappling with a decline in enrollment. Fewer students mean fewer state dollars to fund programs, which could lead to budgetary shortfalls and cuts.

Education

Got some free time this weekend? Check out what's happening around Atlanta with these events:

🏀 The Atlanta Hawks are at home this weekend, and will take on the Miami Heat (Fri.) and the Brooklyn Nets. (Sun.)

🎤 A coalition of civic groups hosts a town hall about tax allocation districts and Mayor Andre Dickens' proposal to extend the incentives program. (Thurs.)

🕺 Feel like dancing? The Masquerade will offer three chances to show off your moves:

Relive the 1970s on the dance floor with Gimme Gimme Disco. (Fri.)

Club 90s night will cater to Heated Rivalry fans. (Fri.-Sat.)

R&B fans can partake in the ultimate party experience. (Sat.)

🍻 Grab some friends and head over to The Works for the 4th annual Westside Food, Booze & Brews Fest. (Sat.)

🥍 Curious about lacrosse? Watch three Division 1 teams take the field at Morehouse College. (Sat.)

🖼️ Atlanta artist Kyoko Takeuchi closes out her solo exhibition "Emotional Stem" at Gallery Anderson Smith. (Sat.)

🏐 Atlanta Vibe, the city's pro volleyball team, takes on Indy Ignite at Gas South Arena. (Sat.)

🎉 Atlanta Chinatown hosts two days of Lunar New Year celebrations, featuring arts, crafts, music and food. (Sat.-Sun.)

🦪 Midtown's Steamhouse Lounge will be slinging oysters at its 38th annual celebration (Sat.-Sun.)

🔮 If you gravitate towards the strange and peculiar, check out the Oddities & Curiosities Expo at AmericasMart. (Sat.-Sun.)

Weekend events: Booze & Brews Fest, Oddities Expo, Oysterfest

The Oddities & Curiosities Expo will be held Saturday and Sunday at AmericasMart.

A wooden table with a knife, several oyster shells, a red soda can, and a beige bowl filled with freshly shucked oysters.

Steamhouse Lounge will host its 38th annual Oysterfest Feb. 21-22. Photo: Courtesy of Steamhouse Lounge Oysterfest

Got some free time this weekend? Check out what&#x27;s happening around Atlanta with these events:

Whats Next

Axios What's Next

Data: U.S. Census Bureau; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios

The share of metro Atlanta residents 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher rose from 39% to 42% between the 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 periods. 

How it works: That's based on the Census Bureau's latest five-year American Community Survey estimates.

A metro's share can increase if more residents get their degrees, or if more people with degrees move into town.

Zoom out: The national share rose from about 34% to 38% between the 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 periods.

The biggest gains among the 100 largest metro areas: Durham, North Carolina (53%, up from 45%); New Haven, Connecticut (42%, up from 35%) and Austin, Texas (51%, up from 45%).

Springfield, Massachusetts was the only metro with a decrease, dropping from about 33% to 29%.

More people in Atlanta have bachelor's degrees, census data show

The share of metro Atlanta residents 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher rose from 39% to 42% between the 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 periods.

A chart showing the change in the share of population over 25 that has attained a bachelor's degree or higher by metro area from 2015-2019 to 2020-2024. Overall, there's been a 3.6% increase in degree holders.

The share of metro Atlanta residents 25 and older with a bachelor&#x27;s degree or higher rose from 39% to 42% between the 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 periods. How it works: That&#x27;s based on the Census Bureau&#x27;s latest five-year American Community Survey estimates.

Kristal Dixon

Featured stories

DeKalb wants feedback on proposal to close 27 schools

The Golden Girls Kitchen pop-up exhibition opens in Atlanta

Food hall to open in former CNN Center in Downtown

More people in Atlanta have bachelor's degrees, census data show

Weekend events: Booze & Brews Fest, Oddities Expo, Oysterfest