New Portman tower lands tenant for key Midtown corner

A new luxury apartment high-rise has landed a celebrated tenant for a prominent Midtown corner, but its grand opening won’t come for quite a while.

Officials with Atlanta-based developer Portman have signed a Louisiana-based “urban Mexican” concept called Habaneros to take a 3,900-square-foot space at the base of the 30-story Sora apartments. That’s the residential component of Portman’s larger Spring Quarter mixed-use venture, which is actively consuming a full block where 10th and Spring streets meet.

Habaneros plans to open at the 370-unit residential tower’s base in summer 2025. Expect an expansive patio, indoor-outdoor bar, and—if preview photos are any indication—sexy design aesthetics described by Portman reps as “approachable and chic.”

The 3,900-square-foot patio and restaurant space being leased by Habaneros at 1000 Spring St. Google Maps

Habaneros bar. Courtesy of Portman

Habaneros, which takes inspiration from the cuisine of Mexico City's urban eateries, has been voted Best Mexican Restaurant for five years running in its native Bayou State, according to Portman. The Midtown location will mark its eighth overall, and first in Georgia.

“Having spent several years as an Atlanta resident, I have seen Midtown flourish into a well-developed hub for businesses, residences, and restaurants, and I knew we would one day bring Habaneros here,” said Omar Lugo, Habaneros’ CEO and creator, in a Thursday announcement.

“Our location at Spring Quarter will allow us to provide a convenient spot for workday lunches and happy hours," Lugo continued, "as well as a fantastic dinner experience.”

Example of Habaneros interiors. Courtesy of Portman

Inside a Habaneros dining space. Courtesy of Portman

Menu items, as prepared by current head chef Oscar Sandoval and new chefs from Michelin-star eateries in New York, will include Tacos de Birria, Flauta Flight, Bravo Shrimp, and Asado Grill, according to project officials.

On the 10th Street side of the Sora building’s base, Atlanta-based cardio boxing class Pepper Boxing recently opened.

Elsewhere at the project, Portman has signed Sozou, a new Japanese modern concept from Chef Fuyuhiko Ito. That’s scheduled to open this fall at 1020 Spring, the recently topped-out Class-A office tower onsite.

Southward views from Sora's 29th story "sky deck" today. Courtesy of Portman

Meanwhile, Steve Palmer, an Atlanta native and founder of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, was revealed in November as the restaurateur who will lease and transform all 24,000 square feet of the historic H.M. Patterson Home and Gardens mortuary into what’s been described as a morning-to-night, food-and-beverage destination with multiple facets. Indigo Road is the Charleston-based company behind local concepts such as West Midtown’s O-KU, Avalon’s Oak Steakhouse, and Colony Square’s Sukoshi.

Portman officials say all three, initial facets of Spring Quarter remain on schedule to deliver by the third quarter of this year.

How the lobby at Portman's 30-story Sora tower turned out. Courtesy of Portman