Images: Monumental new mural transforms former CNN Center wall

If you’ve been downtown recently, you may have noticed a towering downtown wall overlooking Georgia World Congress Center is anything but bland concrete now.

The monumental mural by HENSE—international artist Alex Brewer, who got his start in Atlanta’s graffiti scene and still calls the city home—is part of the former CNN Center’s artistic facelift as it rebrands to The CTR in preparation for 2026 FIFA World Cup festivities.

According to property owners and developers CP Group, the new HENSE mural—adorning the western façade of The CTR complex, over Andrew Young International Boulevard—marks the first completed installation for CTR Culture, the downtown property’s building-wide, public art and cultural program with a heavy emphasis on local talent.

It’s a colorful, abstract piece that passersby can’t miss (more vibes than technical wizardry), positioned above a renovated entrance.

As shown in 2018, the large concrete wall in question (at right) looming over Andrew Young International Boulevard. Google images

Courtesy of CP Group

Brewer is a Candler Park native and son of real estate developer and preservationist Bill Brewer. For years, his murals have dotted the Atlanta Beltline, while other commissions are in the High Museum’s collection and on the walls of global-brand clients such as Meta, Apple, and Tiffany & Co.

Another towering Brewer/HENSE mural (a mashup of painting and sculpture) looms large over Midtown’s 14th Street at Related Group’s ICON Midtown tower.

“The scale of this [The CTR] project, and the idea that it will become part of the city’s daily landscape,” said Brewer in a statement, “offered a chance to contribute something new and bring a fresh layer of color and energy to downtown.”

The mural is part of a local partnership with ASHA Advisory, with art now being rolled out across the landmark downtown property.

Local artist Alex Brewer, aka HENSE, at work recently on a large exterior wall of The CTR complex over Andrew Young International Boulevard. Courtesy of CP Group

Courtesy of CP Group

Chris Eachus, CP Group founding partner, said the artwork aims to help change how people approach the former CNN Center, which is set to start reopening next month with a 12-stall food hall, the city’s largest bar, restaurant anchor Mastro’s Ocean Club, and other facets.

“For years, this was a place experienced from the outside looking in,” said Eachus. “Now, we’re opening it up to the community and bringing energy and creativity into the everyday rhythm of downtown.”

Interior designs planned for CTR Food Works downtown. Courtesy of CP Group

The HENSE mural, according to CP Group, helps set the stage for a forthcoming collection of large-scale works called The CTR’s ICONS Mural series.

That will feature works, rolled out in phases, by Atlanta street-art legends and veteran artists including Dr. Dax, Fabian Williams, Michi Meko, and TOTEM.

During The CTR’s summer reopening, other confirmed painters and photographers whose works will be featured include Nydia Blas (visual artist and Spelman College professor), Mr. Fangs (Atlanta street artist known for his ghost-like character), Jill Frank (visual artist and Georgia State University professor), Charity Hamidullah (muralist), and John Tindel (painter and designer focused on Southern culture).

“By placing [artists’] work directly into the architecture and shared spaces of The CTR,” said Neda Abghari, ASHA Advisory founder and CTR Culture curator, “we’re creating a place where the city’s creative legacy becomes part of the everyday experience of downtown.”

Courtesy of CP Group