Design Challenge
When it was first built, Colony Square offered a vision for comingled residential, commercial, and recreational uses never before seen in the Southeast. Many of Colony Square’s original design choices remain compelling to this day, but others proved unable to adapt to Midtown’s evolving needs. The development became increasingly insular over time but retained its potential for vibrancy, connection, and engagement. The opportunities persisted; our team just had to find them.
A pioneering development idea for the 1960s, Colony Square was built to be a mixed-use destination for work, recreation, and residential activity. The “mean streets” that surrounded the Midtown site ultimately led to the creation of architectural barriers, both formal and informal, that separated this activity from the public realm.
“Take that orange, let’s say, and unpeel it.” The team behind Colony Square’s reimagination was charged with transforming its inward-looking design into a vibrant urban environment that attracts a range of businesses and individuals, provides a platform for magnetic experiences, and meaningfully engages with Midtown Atlanta.
