There’s rarely a dull year in places historically built on growth. Despite economic headwinds and controversial decisions at every level of government, 2025 was no different, all across the vast, fascinating landscape of metro Atlanta.
Closing out our fifth year of coverage (hard to believe), it’s time to reflect on what Urbanize Atlanta readers found most interesting across the year that was. The results couldn't be more random, with topics ranging from intercity rail prospects to decrepit intown landmarks and gargantuan, suburban mixed-use proposals. Oh, and a strip club.
Quick note: Atlanta’s tallest new building in three decades, the 1072 West Peachtree skyscraper, was of consistently high interest all year, but no single story on the Rockefeller Group development cracked the Top 10. This August drone tour of the project, however, landed at No. 11.
Without further ado, presented below are our most popular stories of 2025, based on overall number of reads in descending order:
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No. 10
Images: A decade later, historic stadium in downtown Atlanta's shadow still rots
Looks like ruin porn, as they say, still has cachet. Let’s hope for a brighter 2026 for this crumbling Vine City colossus.
Juxtaposition of Herndon Stadium and Mercedes-Benz Stadium (middle distance), both situated along M.L.K. Jr. Drive west of downtown.
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No. 9
Photos: MARTA's futuristic new trains have arrived in Atlanta!
The transit system’s first active CQ400 railcar—in the flesh, at long last!—caused quite a stir in January. Not all commenters were convinced the new fleet will impact ridership or the transit experience, but one optimistically chimed in: “These trains from Stadler would be state-of-the-art anywhere.”
Courtesy of MARTA
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No. 8
Four years later, has Atlanta's largest park lived up to expectations?
A good question, apparently.
Aerial image showing one section of Shirley Clark Franklin Park in June, looking east toward Midtown and downtown.
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No. 7
Atlanta airport’s ‘ambitious’ expansion project enters next phase
More room to breathe at the World’s Busiest Airport ™? Yes, please.
Current conditions of Atlanta airport's bustling Concourse D. Courtesy of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport/Mammoet
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No. 6
North DeKalb Mall fully wiped away for Lulah Hills project
Appetite for destruction in Atlanta? Always.
Planned look of Novel Lulah Hills apartments and retail functionality along a new street called Lula Avenue at the ongoing mall redevelopment. Courtesy of Crescent Communities; designs by Dwell Design Studio
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No. 5
GDOT flirts with idea of Atlanta-to-Savannah intercity rail
See this, powers-that-be? The good people of Georgia care about new, useful rail options.
The project study area in question covers a wide swath of Georgia. Georgia Department of Transportation
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No. 4
Northwest of Atlanta, massive village, jobs center announced
Big ambitions across 2,400 acres was of high interest in ’25.
General breakdown of uses planned at Aubrey Village over the next decade or more. Courtesy of Hines, Aubrey Corporation
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No. 3
Exclusive: New high-rise to replace Atlanta's famed Cheetah strip club
Of course, the scoop on the demise of a local strip-club institution is surefire ATL gold.
How the first phase of Core Spaces' Cheetah-replacing tower would look and function along Spring Street in Midtown, with HUB branding, according to recent filings. Submitted/Core Spaces; designs, Dwell Design Group
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No. 2
‘One of largest developments in metro ATL history’ scores green light
The Grove calls for a whopping 6,000 homes—and a whole lot more—around a scenic lake. Commenters were divided. “AWFUL, this is pre-designed sprawl,” opined one. Another was more optimistic for the site’s potential: “This is an incredible development opportunity which appears to be the result of a one-off liquidation of a very large private estate.”
The Grove's site in relation to south metro cities and landmarks and downtown Atlanta. Google Maps
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No. 1
Arching over Atlanta, 33-mile express lanes initiative nears milestone
Because a few more lanes, as metro Atlanta history has shown, is always the answer.
Where the elevated express lanes would rise from at-grade sections and take flight over Cobb Parkway, as seen heading clockwise around the Perimeter, per GDOT's conceptual video. Georgia Department of Transportation
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• Best of Atlanta 2025 (Urbanize Atlanta)
