MARTA has signed a 130,000 square-foot lease at Uptown Atlanta, the 47-acre transit-oriented destination being redeveloped by Rubenstein Partners, L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Rubenstein”), Rubenstein Tuesday announced.
MARTA will relocate up to 540 employees, including those in its capital programs group and customer experience department, among others, to the new space at Uptown.
The announcement comes as Rubenstein nears the completion of its transformative redevelopment of Uptown into a “hyper-accessible and highly connected mixed-use destination,” according to the release.
Uptown is anchored by the Lindbergh Center MARTA Station and home to MARTA Headquarters. Previously located in the MARTA Annex at 2400 Piedmont Road, the CPEI Group will occupy four full floors within Uptown’s East Tower. This specialized division, which includes architects, urban planners, engineers and construction managers, is responsible for enhancing and replacing current transit infrastructure and developing transit expansion projects. In the new space, the group will be focused on executing capital projects such as the Clifton Corridor Transit Initiative which will provide a critical link between Uptown and major surrounding employment and healthcare hubs.
As the “largest mixed-use development in Atlanta to connect directly with MARTA and the City of Atlanta’s major pedestrian trails, such as the forthcoming PATH400, Atlanta BeltLine and the South Fork Trail,” Uptown combines 100,000 square feet of street-level retail, greenspace and art and one million square feet of Class A office space. Rubenstein recently completed the reimagination of the 35,000-square-foot office atrium to include modern amenities and collaborative spaces. Skillshot Media, a turnkey esports provider, recently relocated its headquarters to Uptown and regularly activates the high-tech atrium with global esports events.
“We’re pleased to expand our long-standing partnership with MARTA by facilitating the agency’s office space needs,” Mahesh Mani, senior vice president of asset management for Rubenstein, said in the release. “Uptown’s energetic office environment will play an important role in advancing the Capital Projects Group’s mandate to execute the important work that will improve the lives of many Atlantans.”
Rubenstein will complete the redevelopment in fall 2023. Many notable transformations have taken shape on the property, such as a revitalized Main Street with outdoor patios that spill into the sidewalks, punched out office balconies that create indoor/outdoor spaces for office tenants and a connection with the street-level energy, and new building facades that incorporate steel, glass and fresh paint to create a warm and inviting patchwork of buildings.
Additionally, Rubenstein has announced the first restaurants for Uptown: El Gordo and Bene Korean. El Gordo combines the authenticity of a classic taqueria with a modern, lively setting and will offer a variety of street tacos, while Bene Korean will introduce an upscale, tabletop Korean barbecue experience. Opening this year along Main Street, the authentic, chef-driven concepts will join community favorite 26 Thai Kitchen and Bar, with additional restaurant concepts being announced for the mixed-use development soon.
