As the iconic, vaguely medieval façade has taken shape over Edgewood Avenue, Atlantans have been wondering if the popular nightlife strip might be quietly adding a standalone fast-food option that claims to be “Home of the Original Slider since 1921.”

The answer: A White Castle is indeed coming to Sweet Auburn, in the shadow of downtown Atlanta. But well-placed sources say it could be torched or even exploded on purpose in a matter of weeks.

Work began about a month ago on a vacant lot at 431 Edgewood Avenue to erect the faux White Castle as part of a filming set.  

According to sources, the building will stand in for a White Castle in Chicago as part of the forthcoming TV series “Ironheart,” a Marvel Studios female spinoff of “Iron Man” that’s set to stream on Disney+.

It will star Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, “a genius inventor who creates the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man,” according to Disney.

To the chagrin of buzzed Edgewood Avenue revelers, the building will not be dishing loaded crinkle fries or double-cheese sliders.

A recent photo of the unmistakable facade in the 400 block of Edgewood Avenue. Submitted

The project is finishing construction now and has its own 24/7 security detail. Based on conversations business owners have had with producers, the scope of filming could call for all of Edgewood Avenue on the block to be closed sometime in September, when indications are that the make-believe White Castle will be part of a large scene, according to sources.

A Disney+ media rep didn’t immediately respond to inquiries this morning. Records show the .6-acre vacant commercial lot is owned by an LLC called Atlanta Real Estate Assembly. An owner of the property said he’s under a confidentiality agreement and can’t speak to the production, but he expects it to be fully removed by November.   

According to the company’s store tracker, the closest actual White Castle to Atlanta is in Nashville. 

The Edgewood Avenue project "is going to look like a full-on White Castle inside and out,” said Johnny Martinez, co-owner of Joystick Gamebar next door and Georgia Beer Garden across the street. “People are going to be super excited when they see it and then confused why they can’t get to it. Then they’ll be disappointed when it comes down.”

The .6-acre lot in question, where the faux White Castle is being built. Sources say it's typically used for parking and carousing. Image via Fulton County Government/Board of Assessors

The temporary White Castle isn't the first time the Sweet Auburn neighborhood has seen buildings erected and then razed for film projects.

In early 2020, sets designed to look like shabby apartment buildings were built on an empty corner lot in the 200 block of Auburn Avenue as part of a Marvel production and later removed.

According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Disney is currently filming two other projects in the Peach State: “Dashing Through the Snow” and “Perfect Imprints.” Both are feature films.

• Sweet Auburn news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)