The Big Peach

Atlanta architecture

Atlanta is home to The Varsity, the world's largest drive-in restaurant, which can serve up to 30,000 people on a busy day. It is also the birthplace of Coca-Cola and played a pivotal role in the American Civil Rights Movement as the home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

12Landmarks
1897Oldest · Flatiron Building (English-American)
312 mTallest · Bank of America Plaza
13Architects

Bank of America Plaza
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Ponce City Market

Before you go

Fly intoHartsfield-Jackson (ATL)
Hartsfield-Jackson has consistently held the title of the world's busiest passenger airport for decades due to its strategic location as a major global connecting hub. It features an underground 'Plane Train' that whisks passengers between its seven sprawling concourses every few minutes.
CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
LanguageEnglish
The local speech is defined by 'Southern Hospitality' and a melodic, soft drawl that remains welcoming even in a fast-paced city. While it is a global business hub, you will still frequently hear polite honorifics like 'sir' and 'ma'am' used in everyday conversation.
Getting aroundMARTA
The heavy rail system provides rapid cross-city transit between the airport and downtown. Complementing the trains, the regional Xpress bus service connects the broader metro area. The Atlanta Streetcar offers a loop through the historic Centennial Olympic Park district.

12 landmarks in Atlanta

Photo: Username11236, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bank of America Plaza

600 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

This skyscraper stands as the tallest building in the Southern United States. Its most striking feature is the dark red granite facade and the open-lattice spire at the top. This spire is leafed in real 23-karat gold and glows with a warm orange light at night. It remains the most dominant landmark in the entire Atlanta skyline. The structure is a prime example of Postmodern architecture that blends height with classical shapes.

Built
1992
Architect
Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo & Associates
Style
Postmodern
Height
312 m (1,024 ft)
Stories
55
Today
Office
Photo: Connor.carey at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hyatt Regency Atlanta

265 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

This building completely changed the world of hotel design upon its debut. It was the first atrium hotel, featuring a massive 22-story open-air lobby that was revolutionary in 1967. The blue-domed Polaris revolving restaurant on the roof quickly became a symbol of the city. Architect John Portman used the atrium design to create a vibrant indoor town square. He later replicated this successful concept in various cities across the globe.

Built
1967
Architect
John Portman
Style
Neo-Futurism / Brutalist
Height
104 m (341 ft)
Stories
22
Today
Hotel
Photo: Keizers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ponce City Market

675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Originally built as a massive Sears, Roebuck & Co. retail hub, this is one of the largest brick buildings in the Southeast. It is a celebrated landmark of adaptive reuse that now houses a giant food hall and creative offices. The restoration carefully kept the original industrial windows and sturdy steel columns. This project successfully links the logistics history of Atlanta to its modern tech scene. Visitors can also enjoy various amusements and dining options on the expansive rooftop.

Built
1926
Architect
Nimmons, Ferry & Hubbard
Style
Industrial / Adaptive Reuse
Height
45 m (148 ft)
Stories
10
Today
Mixed-use / Food Hall
Photo: BakedintheHole, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

High Museum of Art

1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

This stunning white enamel-clad complex was designed by two different Pritzker Prize-winning architects. The original wing features a central four-story atrium inspired by the Guggenheim in New York. A 2005 expansion added several new buildings featuring a unique roof of light. This roof uses 1,000 light scoops to filter natural northern light into the galleries. This design protects the delicate artwork while highlighting its beauty for all visitors.

Built
1983
Architect
Richard Meier / Renzo Piano
Style
Modernist / Contemporary
Height
25 m (82 ft)
Stories
4
Today
Museum
Photo: Eoghanacht, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Flatiron Building (English-American)

84 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

This is the oldest skyscraper in Atlanta, completed five years before the famous Flatiron Building in New York. Its distinctive wedge shape was dictated by the intersection of Peachtree and Broad Streets. The exterior is clad in white terra cotta and limestone, showcasing the Chicago School style. It was saved from demolition and now serves as a modern hub for entrepreneurs. The building remains a vital piece of the city's architectural and economic history.

Built
1897
Architect
Bradford Gilbert
Style
Chicago School
Height
41 m (135 ft)
Stories
11
Today
Tech Hub / Office
Photo: Atlanta Falcons, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

This stadium is a marvel of modern structural engineering with a unique pinwheel retractable roof. The roof consists of eight translucent petals that open and close like a camera aperture. Its exterior is made of an angular, metallic skin that reflects the changing Georgia sky. Inside, it features a 360-degree halo video board that is the largest of its kind. The stadium serves as a futuristic home for both professional football and soccer.

Built
2017
Architect
HOK / TVS Design
Style
Neo-Futurism / Parametric
Height
93 m (305 ft)
Stories
8
Today
Sports Stadium
Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Fox Theatre

660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Originally designed as a Shriner’s temple, this movie palace is a fantastical blend of Moorish and Egyptian architecture. The interior is famous for its sky ceiling featuring twinkling crystal stars and projected clouds. It showcases gold-leafed minarets, ornate onion domes, and exotic decorative motifs throughout the space. The venue is home to the Mighty Mo, one of the largest theater organs in the world. It remains one of the most beloved performing arts venues in the entire country.

Built
1929
Architect
Marye, Alger and Vinour
Style
Moorish Revival
Height
30 m (98 ft)
Stories
4
Today
Performing Arts Venue
Photo: Jeff Clemmons, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Swan House

130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

Located at the Atlanta History Center, this mansion represents the pinnacle of Classical Revival architecture. It is named for the elegant swan motifs found frequently throughout the interior design. The grand stone facade and cascading water fountain evoke the feeling of an old Italian villa. This estate provides a fascinating look into the Gilded Age of the city's elite. It now serves as a museum where visitors can explore the storied past of Atlanta.

Built
1928
Architect
Philip Trammell Shutze
Style
Italian Renaissance / Classical Revival
Height
15 m (49 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Museum / Historic House
Photo: Original uploader was Atlantacitizen at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1180 Peachtree (Symphony Tower)

1180 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

This prominent Midtown skyscraper is best known for the two vertical glass fins extending from its roof. These fins are illuminated at night and strongly resemble the majestic sails of a ship. It was the first high-rise office building in the world to achieve LEED Gold certification. The design includes a sophisticated water reclamation system used for the tower's lush landscaping. It stands as a symbol of the city's commitment to sustainable modern architecture.

Built
2006
Architect
Pickard Chilton
Style
Modernist / Sustainable
Height
200 m (656 ft)
Stories
41
Today
Office
The King Center

449 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312

This is a sacred site located within the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. The architecture is humble and symbolic, featuring a vaulted crypt made of beautiful Georgia marble. This crypt sits peacefully in the center of a large, circular reflection pool. Surrounding the pool, Freedom Hall features brick arches and various African-influenced patterns. The entire complex serves as a powerful monument to the global legacy of Dr. King.

Built
1982
Architect
J. Max Bond Jr.
Style
Modernist / Brutalist
Height
12 m (39 ft)
Stories
2
Today
Memorial / Museum
Apple Lenox Square

3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326

This flagship retail space features a soaring 30-foot tall glass facade that opens to the plaza. The interior showcases a luminous ceiling made of custom fabric panels that mimic natural sunlight. It includes integrated indoor trees and a massive video wall for community learning sessions. The design reflects the status of the city as a major hub for technology and design. This modern space serves as both a store and a gathering place for the community.

Built
2021
Architect
Apple Inc. Design Team
Style
Modern Minimalism
Height
10 m (33 ft)
Stories
1
Today
Retail / Community Space
Photo: Aleksandr Zykov from Russia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Westin Peachtree Plaza

210 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

This 73-story cylindrical tower was the tallest hotel in the world when it was first completed. The circular design ensures that every guest room enjoys a panoramic view of the city. It features a signature revolving restaurant called The Sun Dial at the very top. External glass elevators offer a high-speed and scenic experience as they ascend the facade. The building remains one of the most recognizable icons of the downtown skyline.

Built
1976
Architect
John Portman
Style
Late Modernism / Cylindrical
Height
220 m (722 ft)
Stories
73
Today
Hotel / Restaurant