The Heart of Atlanta: Exploring South Downtown's Renewal
Published August 24, 2026
The World Affairs Council of Atlanta recently welcomed members and guests for an exclusive tour of South Downtown Atlanta, offering a firsthand look at one of the city's most ambitious redevelopment efforts. The program was inspired and proposed by Daniel Dames, an Atlanta native and member of the Council's Young Leaders Executive Board, as an opportunity to explore how historic preservation, entrepreneurship, innovation and community investment are reshaping one of Atlanta's most historic neighborhoods.
The experience was led by Jon Birdsong, CEO of SoDo Atlanta, whose team is spearheading the revitalization of more than 50 buildings across 16 acres in the heart of downtown.
The morning began with coffee and conversation at Spiller Park Coffee on Mitchell Street before participants gathered at Atlanta Tech Village Sylvan. There, attendees introduced themselves, shared their professional backgrounds and interests, and heard welcome remarks from Council program organizers and Birdsong.
As the walking tour began, Birdsong outlined the strategy behind South Downtown's transformation. Participants learned how developers, civic leaders and entrepreneurs are working together to restore historic properties, attract new businesses, and create a more vibrant, walkable downtown experience. Throughout the morning, attendees gained insight into the challenges and opportunities involved in revitalizing a historic urban district while preserving the character and culture that make it unique.
As the group made their way down Hotel Row, Delilah's Everyday Soul Food was celebrating its grand opening with a ribbon cutting. Witnessing the launch of a locally owned business brought the redevelopment story to life and underscored a recurring theme of the tour: revitalization is not simply about restoring buildings, but creating places where people can gather, work and thrive.
One of the tour's most memorable stops was Friedman Shoes, an Atlanta institution that feels as much like a museum as a retail store. Participants explored three floors lined with racks of handcrafted leather shoes and boots while learning about the family's long history serving customers across generations. Signed photographs, jerseys and memorabilia from notable clients offered a glimpse into the remarkable reach of this downtown landmark. The highlight for many attendees to see—and hold— a custom size 22 shoe made for NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, a tangible reminder of the store's longstanding connection to athletes, celebrities and prominent figures. The group also briefly viewed the largely vacant fourth floor, a space that hints at both the building's historic past and its future possibilities as South Downtown continues to evolve.
At KMM & Co., a leather goods manufacturer and retailer, participants saw how products are designed and produced on-site. The visit offered a closer look at the craftsmanship and small-scale manufacturing taking place in the urban core and the role local makers are playing in the district's resurgence.
The tour also highlighted South Downtown's growing international significance. Participants visited Casa España, which served as a hub for Spain's national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group also visited Founders Green, near El Tesoro, a vibrant gathering space featuring a large video screen, performance stage, and open green space. The green also features the original "Park" sign, a holdover from when the site was a surface-level parking lot, which perfectly encapsulates South Downtown Atlanta's commitment to revitalizing the area while preserving and highlighting its rich history.
During the World Cup, thousands of fans gathered there to watch matches and celebrate together, demonstrating how South Downtown is evolving into a destination for both local community engagement and global events.
Innovation was another theme of the morning. During the tour, the group encountered a robotic security dog operated by Undaunted, prompting conversation about emerging technologies and how cities and property owners are experimenting with new approaches to public safety in urban environments. The group later toured the former M. Rich & Bros. building, a landmark that has shaped downtown Atlanta for more than a century. Participants learned about its transformation from a historic commercial property into a residential development featuring more than 60 units and 90 bedrooms, part of a broader effort to bring more residents to the city center.
Taken together, the stops offered participants a window into a neighborhood in transition and the complex mix of investment, entrepreneurship, historic preservation, innovation and community needed to bring new life to an historic urban district.
The World Affairs Council of Atlanta extends its gratitude to Jon Birdsong and the SoDo Atlanta team for their hospitality, expertise and commitment to sharing the story of South Downtown's revitalization. The Council also recognizes Daniel Dames for envisioning a program that provided members and guests with a meaningful opportunity to experience that transformation firsthand.
As South Downtown continues to evolve, the tour offered a timely look at the economic, cultural and civic forces shaping our city's future—and the choices that will determine what the next chapter of downtown looks like.
For more events like this one visit: www.wacatlanta.org/events
Comments