A nearly 130-year-old dry goods store in South Downtown is being rebuilt into apartments — with a public courtyard carved through the middle and a historic Atlanta streetcar as its centerpiece.

Why it matters: Atlanta's historic building stock is an endangered species. The developer of South Downtown's $28 million near-total rebuild of 85 Peachtree Street keeps a piece of the city's past alive.

Zoom in: Construction crews are uncovering cast-iron columns, long-hidden window openings and forgotten facades as they turn the building into 26 studios and larger apartments overlooking Peachtree and Broad streets.

• South Downtown Atlanta, which is developing 85 Peachtree and dozens of other nearby properties into retail, residential and business incubator spaces, plans to outsource amenities like a gym and outdoor areas to the community.
• They are recruiting a gym operator and other businesses, April Stammel of South Downtown Atlanta told Axios during an exclusive tour.

The street level includes retail and restaurant spaces that open to a breezeway and public courtyard connecting Peachtree and Broad. The building's original facade frames the entrance.

• A restored original Atlanta streetcar will serve as patio space for the nearby restaurant.

What they're saying: "This kind of move, from a development perspective, does not make [financial sense] because you're taking away leasable square footage," Stammel said about the team's decision to build the courtyard.

• However, they believe the courtyard's character will draw people to the building and keep them coming back.

State of play: South Downtown plans to open 85 Peachtree for leasing in early June, shortly before the FIFA World Cup.

• South Downtown Atlanta has not announced rental ranges.

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The FIFA World Cup is 45 days away, and more than 10 contractor crews are working simultaneously against the clock to turn South Downtown Atlanta into a food, retail and activity hub.

Why it matters: South Downtown is undergoing a multi-block construction blitz to rebuild a walkable historic neighborhood with local businesses before the city hosts eight games, including one semifinal match.

Yes, but: Most of the investments — wider sidewalks, new public spaces — and new businesses are meant to last long after the World Cup ends.

Here's where things stand:

🌮 Food: The South Downtown locations of El Tesoro, Glide Pizza and Brewhouse Cafe on South Broad Street will join a growing list of restaurants already open or getting ready to open on Mitchell Street.

• Bottle Rocket, which is relocating from Castleberry Hill to Mitchell Street, is fine-tuning its new location and will soon be open for lunch and dinner.
• Additional restaurants include Broad Street BBQ by Jason Furst and chef Sam Pinner (Sammy's), chef Todd Ginsberg's Kitchen Counter and Mule Train from Mike and Shyretha Sheats (The Plate Sale).
• Popular food festival Smorgasburg will take place every Saturday, April Stammel of South Downtown Atlanta told Axios.

🌳 Public space: The development team has turned a half-acre parking lot on South Broad Street into Founders Green, a central gathering space that will include a stage, seating areas, and room to accommodate movie nights, viewing parties and concerts.

Some of the spaces will have an expansive patio, a walk-up service window to grab a slice, or other indoor-outdoor features to add street-level energy.

🕺 Pop-ups, including one from King of Pops, will take over parking lots and other vacant spaces.

• More details to come, Stammel said.

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Don't let some rain drops stop you from celebrating the weekend with these events:

🏀 After a bruising loss on Tuesday, the Hawks hope to rebound in Game 6 in the NBA playoff series against the Knicks. (Thurs.)

⚾ Take a break from work or school and watch the Braves take on the Tigers during a midday game at Truist Park. (Thurs.)

🎸 Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band bring the Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour to State Farm Arena. (Sat.)

🥍 Georgia Swarm, metro Atlanta's professional indoor lacrosse team, will play its semifinal game against the Halifax Thunderbirds at Gas South Arena. (Sat.)

🎨 Check out work created by sculptor, jewelers, glass artists and painters at the Roswell Spring Arts and Crafts Festival. (Sat.-Sun.)

🐶 Watch dogs strut their stuff in the most fashionable get-ups at the fourth annual Mutt Gala. (Sun.)

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If you're volunteering to help people navigate Atlanta during the FIFA World Cup, this is what you will be wearing.

The full uniform kit, which was designed by adidas, will have a T-shirt, jacket, shorts, pants, hat, waist bag and sneakers that volunteers will be able to mix and match, FIFA said in a news release.

• It will also include patches designating which host city in which the volunteer is working.

💬 Kristal's thought bubble: Volunteers will definitely be easy to find with these colors. I actually like the blue/teal/purple-ish combination.

• What do you think of the uniforms? Hit reply and tell us!

🎤 Kodac Harrison, who hosts Kodac's Last Thursday of Poetry & Song, will hold his last gathering at Wild Heaven in Avondale Estates tonight — and he is contemplating calling it quits for good. (Decaturish)

🗳️ You can now see early voting turnout by political party on the Georgia Secretary of State's Election Hub website. (CBS)

🅿️ As free parking dwindles, residents in Atlanta and its suburbs are feeling the pinch in an area that has few viable alternatives to driving. (AJC)