Uptown Atlanta project set to unveil new public park, ‘The Lawn’

Officials with the Uptown Atlanta remake of what’s generally been called Lindbergh for decades say one of the largest communal greenspaces between Midtown and Buckhead is ready for its closeup. 

The 47-acre, mixed-use district built around the Lindbergh MARTA station is set to officially christen its cornerstone park, The Lawn, with an “all-day extravaganza” in two weeks, according to developers Rubenstein Partners.

Rubenstein officials say the greenspace along Lindbergh Drive had been underutilized since its inception decades ago. They’ve worked with ASD|SKY landscape architects to reimagine the corner lot space, most notably installing a paved “goat path” that traces the route people naturally took through the former park, wearing away grass. A new PATH400 connection runs adjacent to The Lawn, linking to the South Fork Trail and, in coming years, the northeastern-most section of the Atlanta BeltLine.

As the Uptown redo heads toward completion, The Lawn will continue to stage free comedy performances, weekly yoga flows, movie screenings, and other gatherings, officials say.

“Our vision for Uptown has always been to create a destination infused with energy and unique experiences—and The Lawn does exactly that,” said Mahesh Mani, Rubenstein’s senior vice president of asset management, in a prepared statement this week.

With its 110,000 square feet of retail space and 1 million square feet of Class A offices, Uptown is marketed as Atlanta’s biggest mixed-use development with direct connectivity to MARTA and major pedestrian trails. Rubenstein bought the massive property for $187 million in 2019. The $70-million conversion from Lindbergh to Uptown started in earnest when AT&T, the original anchor tenant and the property’s heartbeat for two decades, vacated two office towers in January 2021.  

Changes to date have included an updated Main Street design with modernized facades and larger patios, a refresh of the soaring atrium beneath Uptown’s office towers, and a redo of offices and amenity spaces. (Find a recent photo tour of Uptown property updates and new construction here.)

Earlier this year, Rubenstein announced the first new restaurants in the mix—classic taqueria El Gordo and tabletop Korean barbecue concept Bene Korean. Another tenant win came last year with the signing of esports provider Skillshot Media, which is relocating its Alpharetta offices and production studios to Uptown and creating an esports gaming hub, alongside classroom and training spaces for local students. 

The full redevelopment is scheduled to be finished next spring, officials said this week.

Come Saturday, Oct. 15, Uptown will host a free, all-day community event called “Live! on The Lawn” celebrating the new greenspace. A rundown:

● Yoga and Sound Bath — 10 to 11 a.m.

● Chefs on The Lawn — 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Concepts will include El Gordo, a modern taqueria opening at Uptown next year. (Food and drink, it should be noted, is not free.) 

● Children’s Performers — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

● DIY Crafts — 1 to 4 p.m. Includes "pumpkin decorating, personalizing your own tote/trick or treat bag, coloring Day of the Dead masks in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, and more."

● Plein Air Art — 2 to 5 p.m. “Guests can watch in wonder as The Lawn comes to life from Virginia Highland Plein Air Painters.”

● Live Music — 3 to 4 p.m.; again from 5 to 8 p.m.

● Comedy Show — 4 to 5 p.m. Featuring Whole World Improv.

• Photos: Inside Lindbergh's transformation into 'Uptown Atlanta' (Urbanize Atlanta)