With Atlanta’s first 2026 FIFA World Cup match just 216 days away, the burgeoning South Downtown district is pulling out all stops to fill renovated spaces on a temporary basis, while long-term leasing announcements continue.
South Downtown leadership is wrapping up what’s considered Wave 1 of the area’s revival, spread across the 10-block swath of old downtown buildings and parking lots purchased by Atlanta Ventures nearly two years ago.
To ride out that wave, so to speak, project leadership is pivoting toward releasing 10 revived spaces for short-term leases of just two or three months next year, or what’s being described as “summer leases.”
A wide range of short-term tenants is being sought, from “cool brands” offering hospitality experiences and other businesses, to larger corporations seeking to dip their beaks in the stream of an expected three and ½ million World Cup visitors in downtown next summer.
In addition to spaces along Hotel Row, the short-term leasing opportunities include a contiguous, three-storefront section of Broad Street, which is shaping up to be a food-and-beverage nucleus for the area.
The broader goal is to make “downtown shine and glisten with Atlanta’s best for the World Cup,” per marketing materials.
Below is an overview of summer openings, situated a few blocks east of Centennial Yards and south of Underground Atlanta. Any big (or small) ideas for what might work here—if even for a short run next year?
via South Downtown
Meanwhile, speaking of Broad Street, South Downtown unveiled its latest long-term signing today for space at 87 Broad St.—the former home of downtown landmark (and Paul McCartney album cover subject) Miller’s Rexall Drugs.
Husband-wife duo and pop-up dinner veterans Michael and Shyretha Sheats plan to open a farm-fresh Southern cuisine concept on Broad Street next year called Mule Train.
The chef-owner couple previously gained footing around the city for pop-up venture The Plate Sale, a storytelling and dinner concept that started in 2016.
87 Broad St. and adjoining addresses in South Downtown, as shown in summer 2024, prior to renovation work kicking off. Google Maps
Expect seasonal menus sourced from local farms “with a nod to the rich culinary heritage of the region,” alongside craft cocktails, local spirits, and curated wine and beer selections, according to an announcement today.
"South Downtown feels like Atlanta’s past and future all at once… There’s soul here—a sense of resilience and rebirth that speaks to the story we want Mule Train to tell,” said Michael Sheats in a statement. Added Shyretha: “We’ve always cooked with community in mind, and this neighborhood embodies that spirit.”
Prior to South Downtown work beginning in earnest, the 87 Broad St. building is shown at center. Google Maps
Along with new office tenants such as Atlanta Tech Village, newer commercial ventures in South Downtown include Village Books, Crates record store, and Smorgasburg Atlanta (a seasonal food fest on Saturdays), plus Spiller Park Coffee and Tyde Tate Kitchen.
Beyond Mule Train, businesses with signed leases aiming to open before World Cup hoopla are:
Brewhouse Pub (second location for the soccer bar), handmade leather goods store KMM & Co., Glide Pizza, Bottle Rocket (uprooting from Castleberry Hill), Broad Street BBQ, Delilah’s Everyday Soul, El Tesoro (third taqueria location), and a breakfast and lunch counter from Todd Ginsberg (The General Muir, Fred’s Meat and Bread) and Josh Kim.
Elsewhere, lease negotiations are ongoing, and at least three more tenant announcements are pending.
How 98 Broad St. and adjoining structures are projected to function soon, in conjunction with a streetscapes project spanning between two MARTA stations. South Downtown
Overview of El Tesoro restaurant (now under construction) and plans for patios and adjoining public greenspaces at the northeast corner of Broad and Mitchell streets. South Downtown
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